A recent rash of vandalism at the La Garderie daycare near Ecole Emilie-Tremblay has director Johanne Gauthier worried.

'Instead of spending time and energy with the children, we're spending it picking up broken glass off the floor,' Gauthier said in an interview this morning.

Gauthier became director of the daycare, which serves the francophone community in Whitehorse, last March 15. There has been a fair amount of damage done during her four months on the job, she told the Star.

'When it was reported there were people skateboarding on the roof, which wrecked some of the shingles, it wasn't so bad,' she said. 'Then there was some graffiti on the back of the building which, again, was not so bad.

'But clearly, someone here has too much time on their hands.'

A dual pane window was broken recently. Then, on Monday night, another window was broken completely with a rock, which was later found inside the daycare.

An outdoor picnic table was also stolen recently, and Gauthier said due to its weight, it takes at least three or four people to carry it.

'I have no idea why this has been happening here,' she said.

All of the vandalism has occurred outside of the hours of operation. The daycare, which has been open for more than a dozen years and has a licence to take care of 41 children, is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Gauthier said the RCMP have been notified and have been very helpful.

Daycare board members have started visiting after-hours to see if they can spot any suspicious activity near the grounds. As well, Gauthier said, the person who does maintenance for the building has also been keeping a watchful eye on things.

'We're trying to take that responsibility, but it's not an ideal situation,' Gauthier said. 'Although it only creates an hour or two of work for us, it's just really annoying to have to deal with that because it takes us away from what we should be doing.'

She is urging people in the neighbourhood to be aware of who is in the area.

'I just want them to be on the lookout, so that the people doing this know that there are consequences,' she said. 'Even if it's not at 22 Falcon Drive, just be on the lookout in the neighbourhood.'

Those who wish to assist in repairs can contact the daycare at 633-6566.