Building Belonging at Passamaquoddy Children’s Centre

Tucked away in the heart of St. Andrews, New Brunswick, the Passamaquoddy Children’s Centre is more than just a daycare. It’s a lifeline for working families, a cornerstone of early childhood education, and a growing model for what a community-rooted, culturally inclusive, and intergenerational learning environment can be.

At the helm is Director Courtney James, whose journey with the centre began back in 2009—not as an educator, but as the cook. Over the past decade and a half, James has gone from preparing meals to preparing the next generation, rising through the ranks not through traditional advancement, but through an unwavering commitment to the children, families, and staff that make up the centre’s tight-knit community.

“I started in 2009 just as the cook,” James says with humility. “Now I make sure this place runs with the same care and love I used to bring into the kitchen.” Today, she leads the centre with the same attention to detail and heart-first philosophy, ensuring each child is nurtured in what she calls “a safe, loving environment.”

Rooted in New Brunswick’s curriculum framework for early learning and care, the centre takes a play-based approach to education—focusing less on rigid instruction and more on organic exploration. “We teach them letters not just on paper, but through games, music, and storytime,” James explains. “They learn through play, and that’s how they grow—socially, emotionally, and intellectually.”

But the centre’s reach goes far beyond classroom walls. Board Chair Ellen Fanning speaks passionately about a vision for the future: one that connects the Children’s Centre with Passamaquoddy Lodge, a neighbouring senior care facility. The dream is to foster an intergenerational learning space where children and elders learn from and care for each other. “There’s so much joy when the youngest and oldest members of our community connect,” says Fanning. “It’s an exchange of wisdom, curiosity, and compassion—and it benefits everyone involved.”

The centre also places strong emphasis on cultural awareness and inclusion. Through a “Connecting Families” initiative developed by James, educators are encouraged to bring elements of each child’s home life—language, traditions, music, and stories—into the classroom. “It’s about giving every child a sense of belonging,” she says. “We want them to feel seen and valued, no matter where they come from.”

Still, like many non-profits, the centre faces real financial pressures. Rising food prices, supply costs, and the constant demand for educational materials—from paint and crayons to books and building blocks—mean the team must often rely on community support to fill the gaps. Yet, what the centre may lack in funding, it more than makes up for in heart.

Fanning recalls one small but powerful example: her daughter bonding with an educator over a shared love of Barbies. “That tiny connection meant everything,” she says. “It’s those small, meaningful relationships that shape children for years to come.”

In a province where early childhood education still struggles for visibility and support, the Passamaquoddy Children’s Centre stands as a testament to what’s possible when dedication, creativity, and a deep sense of community come together. It’s not just a place for children to grow—it’s a space where families, neighbours, and generations build a better future, together.