Once the heart of Montreal’s bustling industrial sector, Griffintown is now home to dozens of trendy restaurants, cafes, boutiques and condos. Though the up-and-coming neighborhood boasts an array of services, longtime educator and resident Stephanie Richard noticed an increase in families with young children, but a lack in childcare services to meet their needs.

In February, Richard acted on her longtime dream of operating her own educational space and received the necessary permit to open up Garderie Petits Urbains, a private daycare right near the Lachine Canal. The activities offered aim to reflect the cultural and modern nature of the neighborhood it inhabits.

Children take part in arts and crafts workshops and are treated to regular music and theatre excursions. They are also allowed to play interactive and educational games on tablets provided by the daycare. To add an artistic touch, Petits Urbains commissioned a mural from Montreal-based art collective En Masse for the space. The sprawling design features comforting, child-friendly images of black and white smiling clouds, birds and other animals.

There are two programs offered: a nursery for babies under 18 months, and one for children 18 months to 5 years old. The daycare will have a maximum capacity of 60 spots: five for babies 18 months and younger, and 55 for kids between the ages of 18 months and 5 years.

The programs are offered in both French and English to accommodate the district’s largely bilingual population. The cost per child is $55 per day. It is located at 1097 Smith St.

For more information, call 514-875-8080 or email info@petitsurbains.ca