Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, the eco-friendly micro-daycare center is located in a small, green corner of Gros-Morne “The Little Cocoon“. This facility, which has been in operation for three years, is a true oasis for children, who can grow up surrounded by nature. A conversation with Béatrice Batouche.
Can you tell us about Le P’tit Cocon?
Le P’tit Cocon is a place where children feel right at home—a space designed and tailored to their needs. What sets us apart is that we’re an eco-friendly micro-daycare. All our activities revolve primarily around animals and nature. Our close connection to nature is the highlight of our mini-daycare.
What services and activities do you offer?
We care for children from 2 months to 3 years old. We have a variety of amenities to ensure their well-being. We have one sleeping area for infants and a second one for older children. We have a changing room for babies with labeled baskets for each child. The activity room contains all the materials the children need—toys, paint, and everything else required. Our cook is currently on maternity leave, but we have a fully equipped kitchen that meets all regulations. We receive hot meals daily from the City of Le Robert. We sometimes serve local produce: ti nains, sweet potatoes, and pumpkin soup.
The outdoor area where the children can eat outside is pleasant and welcoming. They also have access to a patio where they can see the chickens and hear the roosters. We have many fruit trees and do some gardening with the children.
Discovering local products is essential to us. Fortunately, we have them right at our fingertips, which allows us to introduce the children to fruits and vegetables—whole, cut, and prepared—on their plates. We use this approach to stimulate their early learning. This year, our educational project is focused on stimulating young children’s learning in new ways.
Do children have a close relationship with animals?
Yes, those who were here last year already had the chance to feed a little goat with a bottle every morning. They’ve already met the rabbits and their young in the rabbit hutches. They’ve also seen the quails—it varies depending on which animals we have. Learning about the animals through their way of life is important to us.
Culture is also in the spotlight…
Of course, during the holidays, we place a strong emphasis on tradition so that we can pass on our culture to children from a very young age. At Christmas, we put on a small show, and we do the same before the summer break begins. Parents play an active role in these events, as they get to see what their children have learned throughout the year.
What are the benefits?
Children are very engaged when they’re in a small daycare, because we have more time for them. In terms of the number of children, we’re somewhere between a child care provider and a daycare center. This allows us to be available for each child and to focus on individualized care by gradually adapting to their needs.
When parents ask, we’re happy to use cloth diapers—that’s the case with one mom this year. Breast milk, too—parents are welcome to provide it for those who wish to continue breastfeeding their little ones. Our goal is truly to align with what parents want to instill in their children at the daycare. We’ve already had children whose parents are vegetarians. It’s a matter of continuity.
Is the cost higher for parents?
The cost is the same as at other micro-daycare centers; this year, we’re also providing diapers, water, and snacks—except for milk, since each child has their own specific type of milk. We received our license renewal from the Territorial Collectivity of Martinique, and when the safety commission visited in July, everything went well. We meet all the safety standards required to care for children.
In conclusion…
I encourage parents not to hesitate to contact us—we’re here for their children. It’s true that all of this comes at a cost, but the quality is there. Parents are very satisfied and happy. They receive a little scrapbook in which we include photos so they can have keepsakes.
Interview by Kaylan Fagour
