December 11, 2015
Province Announces New Child-care Centre at École Assiniboine for Families in St. James
Families in St. James will soon benefit from a new child-care centre thanks to the Family Choices Building Fund, Education and Advanced Learning Minister James Allum announced today at École Assiniboine, the future site of the new stand-alone facility.
“The Manitoba government is focused on building one of the best and most affordable child-care systems in Canada, and I’m happy to announce we are investing in a new child-care centre here at École Assiniboine,” said Minister Allum. “Publicly accessible child-care centres in schools ensure access to high-quality affordable child care for Manitoba families and give parents the opportunity to work or go to school with peace of mind.”
École Assiniboine is a kindergarten to Grade 5 immersion school that currently houses a licensed school-age facility operated by Assiniboine Children’s Centre Inc. The new building will accommodate 20 infants and 12 preschool children for a total of 32 new child-care spaces, the minister said, adding this new centre is part of the province’s five-year, $25-million plan to create new child-care spaces.
Minister Allum noted that over the last 15 years, the Manitoba government has created more than 14,000 new spaces, bringing the total number of spaces to almost 30,000 and invested in renovating and creating more than 100 new child-care centres. There are currently 300 child-care centres in schools in communities throughout the province.
“The St. James-Assiniboia School Division is pleased to have the opportunity to partner with the Manitoba government and Assiniboine Children’s Centre to provide an expansion of high-quality child-care service at École Assiniboine,” said Craig McGregor, board chair, St. James-Assiniboia School Division. “The formative years in a child’s life are critical, and therefore supporting early development sets the stage for future positive learning experiences.”
The minister noted the province will continue to work with parents, education leaders and child-care partners to ensure high-quality child care continues to be accessible and affordable for all Manitoba families. The minister also noted a recent Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives study found that Winnipeg had the most affordable child-care spaces west of Quebec.
“As child-care providers, we know how important it is for parents to know their children are safe and well cared for while they work or study,” said Marilyn Valgardson, executive director, Assiniboine Children’s Centre Inc. “That’s why we’re very excited that the Manitoba government is providing the funding to build a new, stand-alone child-care centre here at École Assiniboine, which will also benefit the children by providing them with the early childhood education needed to prepare them to be capable learners on their entry into kindergarten.”
“Child-care centres in schools ensure children move seamlessly between child care and school, and the Manitoba government is committed to supporting families by creating more capacity within the educational system to care for young children,” said Minister Allum.
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