For Jackie Neufeld, a student in the nurse practitioner master’s program at the College of Nursing, the Rady Kids’ Club is one of the best parts of each month.

Offered by the Rady Family Centre, the Kids’ Club offers childminding services for children aged four to 12. Open to students while they are studying at the University of Manitoba’s Bannatyne campus, the service is fun, accessible and best of all – free.

“Studying with kids at home is like being at their mercy – you’re interrupted every few minutes, so it’s impossible to go deep into complex material,” she said. “But when I drop my kids at the Kids’ Club, I know I’ll get that uninterrupted time I need. My kids are happy and cared for and I get to focus.”

Neufeld’s husband, Mouhamed Tall, is often away for weeks at a time working in northern British Columbia. When she’s managing solo with their seven-year-old twins, Yero and Maymouna, she makes sure to plan study blocks when she knows child care will be available.

“Sometimes I save the toughest articles  – the ones I really need to immerse myself in  – for when the Kids’ Club is open. It’s a real lifesaver,” she said.

Kids’ Club participants Yero and Maymouna.

The kids are big fans of the monthly service. “They run right in wearing their matching T-shirts and everyone knows their names,” said Neufeld. “There are all kinds of activities like beading, Lego and even yoga once. The childminders have this fantastic way of connecting with the kids and it’s clear they love what they do.”

“That’s the best part – seeing kids rush in with big smile,” said Jasmine Brar, Rady Family Centre coordinator. “Parents tell me all the time that these sessions give them a moment to breathe, to study without looking over their shoulders to see what the kids are up to.”

For Neufeld, the Kids’ Club isn’t just functional; it’s a place where her children feel part of her academic journey. “I love that they come to campus, see where I study, and feel it’s part of our shared story,” she said. “They know the university isn’t just ‘Mom’s work’  – it’s a place they belong too.”

The Rady Family Centre’s supports go beyond child care, offering parent meet-ups, a private feeding room and resources for finding child care options.

 “When I was a young mother, I wish I’d had access to spaces like this,” said Brar. “I remember trying to juggle everything without a community like ours. Now, seeing parents thrive here is so rewarding.”

Neufeld says there is only one thing that could make the Rady Kids’ Club better. “If only it happened more often!”

That’s why the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre is offering the Rady Kids’ Club.

The free service for Rady Faculty students allows them to drop off their kids at the Joe Doupe Recreation Centre gym one scheduled Saturday every month. The program, which runs from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., is for children aged four to 12 (kids must be fully independent in the bathroom.)

Activities offered include crafts.

The Rady Faculty Office of Equity, Access and Participation – which oversees the Family Centre – prioritizes the removal of barriers students face, and the Rady Kids’ Club serves to help accomplish this goal for student parents, said Melissa Melo, coordinator of the Family Centre.

“Being a parent myself, I know it’s hard to think when the kids are constantly asking you questions,” Melo said. “You have no time alone, never mind trying to study and read a book and absorb information with all those interruptions. So, the Family Centre is thrilled to be able to offer the Rady Kids’ Club to student parents so they can have distraction-free study time while their kids are having fun.”

Several activity stations are set up in the gym for the kids to choose from, which range from crafts and Lego to soccer and an obstacle course. Healthy snacks are also included.

Two Rady Kids’ Club sessions have been held over the past couple of months and it’s already a hit with the kids and their parents.

Healthy snacks are included in the program.

“They love it,” said Jacki Neufeld, a nurse practitioner student in the College of Nursing with six-year-old twins. “As soon as the first session was over, they said ‘We want to come back for all of them,’ so it was great. The kids had a blast and I got to study.”

Gem Newman, a fourth-year medical student at the Max Rady College of Medicine with two kids, aged seven and 10, said it’s been great to have a place to bring them where they can be watched, and he can study.

“It can be really challenging to be a student and a parent,” Newman said. “Navigating childcare and studying is very challenging, so it’s really nice to have a program like this that can help take a load off sometimes.”

Newman’s 10-year-old daughter, Keira, said she had lots of fun at the first Rady Kids’ Club and wanted to return.

“They have all sorts of crafts and I love crafting,” Keira said. 

The Family Centre has hired seven UM students to act as childminders.

The Family Centre has hired seven UM students, who’ve undergone criminal record and child abuse registry checks, to act as childminders.

Sean Ticsay, a doctor of pharmacy student at the College of Pharmacy, wanted to become a childminder because he loves working with kids and felt it was important to help support students who have children.

“I thought this is such a great program that gives parents a couple of hours on the weekend to come here and study and know that their kids are safe and having fun,” Ticsay said. “The programs we have – from arts and crafts to physical activities – are diverse and the kids love it.”

The Rady Kids Club will run once per month for 10 months, but if it’s popular, it could change to biweekly, Melo said.

“I’d love for more student parents to come try out the program,” Melo said. “We have the capacity to take on more children.”

Visit the Family Centre’s website to register for Rady Kids’ Club or for more info about the many programs the Family Centre offers.

“We wanted to help bring joy and ease some of the stress that comes along with the holiday season for our student families who are currently experiencing financial hardship,” said Melissa Melo, co-ordinator of the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre. 

This is the second year that the Family Centre has organized the Holiday Basket Program. This year saw an increase in the number of Rady student parents applying to receive baskets. Melo said that was not surprising, with the significant increase in living expenses students are facing.

Irene Osaghae, a third-year student at the College of Nursing, said she loves to receive the toys, children’s books and learning aids. “It means so much for me and my family. My kids are so excited for the toys, which I would otherwise not buy because I prioritize groceries. I am so grateful that staff and fellow students are able to donate to this worthy cause.”

When applying for a holiday basket, students fill out a questionnaire so they can receive items such as diapers and formula that are personalized to their needs, along with toys that are appropriate for their children’s ages.

“Being a student at the university and having an opportunity to receive a holiday basket for my daughter means more than I am able to describe in words, especially during the holiday season when children expect a lot of gifts and are excited to receive surprises,” said Amanjot Kaur, a dental hygiene student at the Dr. Gerald Niznick College of Dentistry.

“I really appreciate [the Family Centre’s] effort and time to buy everything and put it together.”

After putting out a call to the Rady Faculty community, the Family Centre raised close to $4,000 in monetary donations, as well as a large quantity of toys, diapers and other supplies.

“Our students work so hard,” Melo said. “This is one way that our Rady community can give back to those who are juggling studying, providing service in our health-care system and being a caregiver.”

Osaghae said she hopes the program will continue, so in the future she can become a donor.

Find out more about the services and resources offered by the Rady Faculty of Health Sciences Family Centre on its website or email FamilyCentre@umanitoba.ca.