Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault has announced $1,769,638 in funding to create 49 new child-care spaces at Churchill Public School.
"Investing in education is essential to the well-being of Sudbury. Children and young people need to have the best level of care and the opportunity to participate in activities that will keep them active, teach them about healthy living and help them achieve more at school," said Thibeault.
"Thanks to the government’s investment in education parents will be able to access affordable care and children in Sudbury will have an opportunity to participate in safe and fun after school programming.”
Thibeault made the announcement on Dec. 18, touching on the Ontario government's commitment to create 100,000 new licensed child care spaces in schools, communities and other public spaces across the province.
This commitment includes funding for 737 new child care rooms at schools in the Northeastern Ontario. As a result of this investment, more children and their families will gain access to high-quality licensed care in a safe, convenient setting, a press release said.
As part of a five-year commitment to help 100,000 more children up to the age of four access child care, Ontario is investing up to $1.6 billion in capital projects alone.
This will add an estimated 45,000 new licensed childcare spaces in schools and other community settings. Additionally, the province is increasing operating funding and subsidies to help more children aged 0–4 years access quality child care.
“Creating more licensed child care spaces in schools is key to building an early years and child care system that is seamless and accessible for families in Ontario. These school-based spaces support young children and their families with access to affordable, high-quality care closer to home," said Indira Naidoo-Harris, Minister Responsible for Early Years and Child Care, in a press release.
"By investing in our children's early years, we are giving them a strong start in life and building a strong future for all of us.”
Ontario is also providing opportunities for children and youth in Sudbury to participate in sport, recreation and active living programs after school to help build self-esteem, promote success in school and boost wellbeing.
Thibeault also announced on Monday that five organizations in Sudbury will receive a total of $185,200 as part of Ontario's After School Program. The program gets students moving through activities like soccer, basketball or dance, teaches healthy eating habits and promotes relationship building.
