Province adding child-care spaces to Brantford core

Caption: Central Public School will be the site of new child-care centre

The Ministry of Education has approved funding that will add licensed child-care spaces to Brantford’s downtown core by December 2018, proposed through a joint submission by the City of Brantford and the Grand Erie District School Board.

The funding of $2,057,016, part of the Province’s Early Years Capital Program, will allow for the construction of a child-care centre at Central Public School, and will proactively address a heightened need in the neighbourhood for accessible and affordable child care.

“In partnership with the City of Brantford, we identified this as a significant project which will have a long-term positive impact on children and families in the community,” said Brenda Blancher, Grand Erie District School Board’s Director of Education. “We know that providing the best start possible for the city’s youngest citizens needs to start with quality child care.”

“In partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board (GEDSB), we’re proud that we were able to successfully identify and respond to a vital need in our community,” said Josephine Atanas, General Manager, Health and Human Services, City of Brantford. “We look forward to continuing to work together with GEDSB to build quality, affordable and inclusive child care opportunities like this approach to early learning.”

The funding is part of the Province’s commitment to create access over the next five years to affordable child care for 100,000 more children from infancy to age four, and increase opportunities for Ontario families in the process.

"We are thrilled that our partnership with the Grand Erie District School Board in submitting this proposal resulted in the selection of a new licensed child care space for Central Public School in Brantford. This development will help provide much needed additional child care resources in the City,” said Ward 2 Councillor John Sless, Chair of the City of Brantford and County of Brant Social Services Committee.

“Working cooperatively, we have the chance to make a tremendous impact,” said Greg Anderson, Chair of Grand Erie District School Board. “Thanks to this funding, we’ll be supporting those families who need it the most.”

Community is a pillar of Grand Erie’s current Multi-Year Plan, with a goal of integrating and celebrating the partners whose contributions enhance the learning experiences of all students.