Chatham-Kent families are getting more child care spaces.
The Ministry of Education is investing $1.8-million to increase licensed child care spaces at schools in Chatham and Wheatley. Forty-nine child care spaces will be added at Indian Creek Road Public School and ten child care spaces will be added at Wheatley Area Public School.
"We're thrilled about this funding for an improved child care facility,” says Kathi Lomas McGee, YMCA president and CEO. “It will allow the YMCA to expand our Before-and-After Child Care services at Indian Creek Road Public School to include quality infant, toddler and pre-school care, making it more convenient for families in this community.
“This is great news for families in Wheatley and the surrounding area. Local families will benefit from the new licensed infant spaces that are more convenient and closer to home,” says Kelly Emery, Municipality of Chatham-Kent director of Child Care and Early Years Division. “This investment from the Ministry of Education gives young children a strong start in life and supports families with access to safe, high-quality licensed child care.”
The school board will be working with the ministry to develop a plan for the construction and renovations at the two schools and will be meeting with child care providers to discuss future plans for the sites.
Lomas McGee hopes the new spaces are open by the new school year to reduce long waiting lists.