June 16, 2022
Dugald Child-Care Centre Officially Opens 74 New Funded Spaces to Ensure Access to High-Quality Services
– – –New Funded Spaces Benefit Children, Families in Dugald, Surrounding Areas: Ewasko
The Manitoba government is providing more than $450,000 in annual operating grant funding for 74 new funded spaces at the Dugald Daycare Inc. as part of the Manitoba government’s commitment to strengthening the province’s early learning and child-care sector, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced today.
“Our government is committed to ensuring all Manitoba families have access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child-care services, regardless of where in the province they live,” said Ewasko. “I commend the dedicated staff on their hard work since this incredible facility first opened in September 2019, as they celebrate its grand opening now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.”
The minister noted 74 new funded spaces – 20 for infants and 54 for preschool-aged children – are available at the site, which held its official grand opening today. An additional $33,000 was provided to the centre through a startup grant toward initial costs for opening the new spaces.
The new 6,190 sq. ft. stand-alone facility is adjacent to the school and features six child-care classrooms, as well as a kitchen, staff room, utility room, storage room and office. The centre offers an emergent curriculum and is developing a natural, interactive outdoor play space.
“Our organization provides care for 125 children who reside in the Rural Municipality of Springfield. Dugald Daycare Inc. is very proud of all our hard work involved with our original location that holds 51 spaces and now the addition of our second location,” said Leola Paul, director, Dugald Daycare Inc. “The addition of our new location has helped so many more families in our community and we have also provided more job opportunities for our rural area. Opening before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic has certainly put our skills and dedication to the test for our staff and board of directors. We hope we can continue to provide care for children and support our staff with the continued assistance of government.”
Capital funding for the new child-care centre was provided as part of a larger $10-million project for the construction of a new addition and other renovations at École Dugald School in the Sunrise School Division, noted the minister.
“These new funded spaces greatly benefit children and families in Dugald and the surrounding areas,” said Ewasko. “Our government continues to invest in the early learning and child-care sector so parents can work or participate in training while knowing their children are receiving quality, safe child care.”
The minister noted the new centre builds on other investments in child care after the governments of Canada and Manitoba extended the Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
For more information on child-care services in Manitoba, visit www.gov.mb.ca/education/childcare/.
- 30 -