New Childcare Spaces Announced for Catholic Schools

New Childcare Spaces Announced for Catholic Schools
Posted on 10/27/2016
OCTOBER 27, 2016 - BARRIE, ON: The Ministry of Education recently announced funding for new childcare spaces at St. Bernard's Catholic School in Orillia and Saint Mary Catholic School in Huntsville. St. Bernard's was approved for $2 million in funding for a school addition, which will accommodate 49 childcare spaces and one child and family support room. Saint Mary will benefit from $1.1 million in new construction, resulting in 39 new childcare spaces. 

"We are quite pleased to receive this funding to meet the childcare needs of infants, toddlers and preschoolers in the community as well as before and after school care opportunities for school-aged children," said Brian Beal, Director of Education at the Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board. "These new construction projects will result in additional rooms at both schools - this is definitely good news for families in the Orillia and Huntsville communities."

The Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board will work in partnership with the County of Simcoe and the District of Muskoka to deliver these new childcare spaces. 

"We applaud the province for further investment in our children and young families. The County of Simcoe manages the local Licensed Child Care System which provides more than 15,000 licensed spaces, 7 special needs resourcing agencies, and 1 family resource centre throughout the region. However, there are still many families in need and as such we look forward to our continued collaboration with area school boards to maximize resources that put our children and families first, ” says Warden Gerry Marshall from the County of Simcoe.

From Muskoka Community Services, Commissioner Rick Williams comments, "we support the Ministry of Education’s school-first policy and are excited about the possibility of relocating licensed child care spaces to a school site within Huntsville. Huntsville is a dynamic community and this opportunity will greatly benefit our local families with toddlers and preschoolers."

It is anticipated that these spaces will be available in the 2017-2018 school year.