The Renfrew County Catholic District School Board (RCCDSB) is a benefactor of newly announced investments in child care rooms that will affect 188 schools across the province.
The funding is part of a five-year commitment by the Early Years & Child Care Programs & Service Integration Branch of the Ministry of Education to help more families access quality, affordable child care in a safe and caring environment.
“Ontario’s schools are places where communities come together to grow and thrive. By integrating more licensed child care spaces into schools, we are building a stronger education system that supports students and their families from the earliest years onward,” stated Mitzie Hunter, Minister of Education.
“We are very pleased to receive the funding and play a role in providing more high-quality licensed child care spaces for young families within our Board,” added Jaimie Perry, RCCDSB Director of Education.
Two RCCDSB schools will be adding child care spaces with this latest funding. Approval has been received for a renovation at St. John Bosco Catholic School in Barry’s Bay for two child care rooms—one toddler and one preschool room for a total of 39 new spaces.
Bil Smith, Director, Community Resource Centre (CRC), says the CRC is pleased to expand its partnership with the Renfrew County District Catholic School Board and the County to bring full-day licensed child care to St. John Bosco. “The CRC is working toward a future in which everyone has access to the connections, opportunities, supports and services they need to live full lives in vibrant, sustainable rural communities. The Kidz Kastle licensed daycare in Barry’s Bay will help us to support families and the community as a whole.”
As well, an addition to Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic School in Pembroke will provide four child care rooms—an infant room, a toddler room, and two preschool rooms for a total of 73 new spaces.
Director of The Children’s Garden, Benita Richardson, expressed her delight in partnering with the RCCDSB at Our Lady of Lourdes. “We look forward to working together with the Renfrew County Catholic District School Board to create such an inspired new child care facility and program in Pembroke!”
“The RCCDSB continuously seeks out collaborative relationships in our communities and opportunities to share our facilities. We look forward to building our partnership with Kidz Kastle and the Killaloe Community Resource Centre, and expanding our partnership with The Children’s Garden,” said Dave Howard, RCCDSB Chair.
Tender packages for the construction work are being developed in consultation with the RCCDSB architect.
January 18, 2018
For further information, please contact:
Jaimie Perry, Director of Education
Renfrew County Catholic District School Board
499 Pembroke Street West
Pembroke, ON K8A 5P1
Phone: 613-735-1031 or 1-800-267-0191