The Macaulay Tree House (Tree House), in collaboration with the District of Muskoka (District), and the Province of Ontario, is excited to announce the ground breaking for the Bracebridge Day Nursery expansion project which will bring an additional 73 affordable, early childhood education spaces to the Muskoka community.
“We are thrilled that the project is now underway,” says Leesa Horsfield, Executive Director of The Macaulay Tree House. “We look forward to expanding and continuing to provide safe and quality child care to our local community.”
Horsfield notes that with the expansion project, the Tree House is expecting to see approximately 20 new positions including Early Childhood Educators (ECE) and assistants, cleaning and maintenance staff, co-op and student placements, administrative positions as well as a cook. “The expansion will not only bring new child care spaces to the centre, but new jobs as well.”
Horsfield added that the expansion project will alleviate a large portion of the current wait list for the Tree House and for that, families are very grateful.
Following the ground breaking celebrations held at the Tree House today, the District, the Province of Ontario and the Government of Canada also celebrated the grand opening of the Gravenhurst Child and Family Hub located at 180 Brock Street, Gravenhurst.
The District’s new hub provides space for EarlyON Child and Family Program delivery, The Nest Family Resource Centre and space for licenced child care, which will bring an additional 15 affordable child care spaces to Muskoka for children ages 0-12.
“EarlyON is thrilled to have a permanent home, as this will allow flexibility in our hours of programming and provide further opportunities to collaborate with other children’s services in the community” shared Pam Rennie, Manager of EarlyON Programs with the District.
Both Muskoka projects come as a result of answering a call for submissions for Community-Based Early Years and Child Care Capital Program funding released in November of 2017 by the Ministry of Education.
“We are so pleased to see these important investments in childcare and programming being made in Muskoka,” said John Klinck, Chair of the District of Muskoka. “These new resources will benefit so many families who struggle to access quality programs and childcare spaces in our region”.
As part of the provincial government’s support for the early years and child care system, and better meeting the needs of local communities, as well as the commitments made under the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (ELCC), the funding opportunity was provided to support greater access to licensed child care and child and family program locations.
To learn more about the Macaulay Tree House Day Nursery, visit https://www.macaulaytreehouse.ca
To learn more about EarlyON Child and Family Programs, or for program schedules please visit: www.muskoka.on.ca/earlyon or follow Muskoka EarlyON on Facebook @EarlyonMuskoka
The District of Muskoka is committed to providing and promoting affordable access to quality child care services that enhance opportunities for early childhood development.
Learn more at: https://www.muskoka.on.ca/en/community-and-social-services/Children-and-Youth-Services.aspx
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