Parents looking for child care will soon have a new option in Chatham-Kent.
The YMCA of Southwestern Ontario announced Monday that construction of a new child care centre in Chatham is underway. The new centre will be an extension to the existing Chatham-Kent Children's Services (CKCS) Building located at 495 Grand Ave West.
The new centre will add an additional 49 spaces for children in the community. A total of three new classrooms will be built for 10 infants, 15 toddlers, and 24 preschool spaces. It will also include new additions to the outdoor play areas.
"We are in every way aligned with CKCS and their vision to provide accessible and inclusive child care, and to ensure children and families have access to quality care," said YMCA Southwestern Ontario CEO Andrew Lockie in a release. "The values and skills learned early in life are vital building blocks for successful adulthood. We believe all children deserve a strong start and a safe place to grow."
The construction of the new centre is being led by ROA Studio and Westhoek Construction. The centre is expected to be completed by the summer of 2022.
"This partnership will produce much-needed high-quality, licensed child care spaces that will prepare children for success and make life easier for working families," said Director of Child Care and Early Years Kelly Emery.
The YMCA will also be conducting a job fair in the near future to hire staff for the new child care centre. The YMCA said 18-20 people will be hired.