St. Patrick Catholic School in Guelph will be home to a new child care space following a $2.1 million investment from the Ontario government.
Once complete, the new child care centre at St. Patrick Catholic School will create 64 new child care spaces, providing one infant room, two toddler rooms, and one preschool room through the province’s Early Years Capital Program.
“A new childcare setting in the north end of the city will greatly support the families and children in the St. Patrick Catholic School community,” said Kellie Angerilli, principal of St. Patrick Catholic School. “We welcome this addition and look forward to learning more about the project over the coming months.”
The St. Patrick Catholic School project is part of a provincewide investment of more than $600 million to support new school and child care spaces that were recently announced by Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. The overall investment will support 78 school and child care related projects. As part of this investment, the province dedicated more than $565 million to create more than 19,700 new student spaces and 1,500 child care spaces at schools across the province.
“In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have made safer schools a priority, which is why we continue to invest in modern and accessible learning spaces with improved ventilation,” said Minister Lecce. “This investment is part of our multiyear plan to build, expand, and update schools and child care spaces across our province. It will leave a lasting legacy that benefits working families for years to come.”
The application, submitted in partnership with the County of Wellington, was approved earlier this year following an identified need for additional child care in the north end of Guelph.
“We are thrilled to announce the construction of the child care centre at St. Patrick Catholic School and we are grateful to the Ministry of Education for this investment which will benefit families in this community,” said Tracy McLennan, associate director of Wellington Catholic District School Board.
“The County, as the child care service system manager for Guelph and Wellington County, is pleased to support securing 64 licensed child care spaces in this area of Guelph,” added Luisa Artuso, Director of Children’s Early Years Division, Social Services at the County of Wellington.
A child care provider will be named at a later date.