Ministry of Education Invests $403,336 to Expand Child Care Opportunities in Kenora
Families in Kenora will have even more opportunity to access quality, licensed child care in 2018, thanks to $403,336 in funding provided by the Ministry of Education through the Early Years Capital Program.
The Kenora Catholic District School Board, Kenora District Services Board and Kenora Association for Community Living, are pleased to announce their partnership to expand Kid's Zone Child Care Center at Pope John Paul II School. The expanded program will create additional, licensed, child care spaces for children aged 18 months to 2.5 years of age.
The partnership supports Ontario's investment to help 100,000 more children, aged 0 - 4 to access affordable, quality, licensed child care in schools, homes and communities. As part of the expansion, the province announced $1.6 billion in new funding to build 45, 000 new child care spaces in schools and other community spaces across Ontario over the next five years.
"These new child care spaces at Pope John Paul II School will enable more families to have access to safe, high-quality licensed child care in a convenient location. This investment will have a positive impact on the lives of many families in Kenora while providing the community's youngest learners with a great start in life." Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister of Education, Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care.
"We appreciate the Ministry's continued support and investment in Early Years programs. We know that child care opportunities are an important first step on a child's educational journey," says Phyllis Eikre, Director of Education for the Kenora Catholic District School Board. "The ability to place child care centers in our schools benefits our youngest children, keeping everyone under one roof, supporting relationships and providing a seamless transition into the Kindergarten program. This opportunity would not be possible without the strong partnership that exists between our board, the Kenora District Services Board and the Kenora Association for Community Living."
Henry Wall, Chief Administrative Officer says, "The Kenora District Services Board is committed to our partnership with the Kenora Association for Community Living and the Kenora Catholic District School Board. Working together to provide additional child care spaces at Pope John Paull II School will provide families with additional options in child care and support one stop services for families in Kenora."
The Kenora Catholic District School Board will be retrofitting Pope John Paul II School over the summer to accommodate the new expansion, allowing the center to be ready to welcome children in the fall of 2018.
"This is a much-needed investment in children, families and our community. We are very pleased to be involved with our partners to be able to offer more options to families," says Deborah Everley, CEO, Kenora Association of Community Living.
The Kenora Catholic District School Board has child care centers located at Pope John Paul II School and École Ste-Marguerite Bourgeoys, and before-and after-school program options at all its elementary schools.
For More Information Please Contact
Trina Henley
Executive Assistant to the Director & Communications Officer
p: 807-468-9851
e: [email protected]