Media Release - Update on progress to open new licensed child care spaces for Northumberland families by year-end
Media Release
Cobourg, ON – October 17, 2024 –Northumberland County and community partners are making steady progress on facility renovations to open new licensed child care spaces by the end of this year. These spaces, part of a broader expansion effort funded by Northumberland County in partnership with the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario, will help meet the high demand for child care in our community, particularly in priority areas identified through the County’s Early Learning and Child Care Service Plan.
“All partners are striving to complete work and get identified locations open as quickly as possible to address the urgent demand for child care in our community,” says Early Years Services Manager Lesley Patterson. “While some plans have faced delays, our goal remains to open the majority of these 181 spaces before the end of this year.”
Locations set for completion by the end of 2024 include:
· Ruth Clarke Activity Centre in Port Hope: 70 new child care spaces, operated by Ganaraska Child Care
· 161 Old Hastings Road in Warkworth, Trent Hills: 47 new child care spaces, operated by YMCA Northumberland
· Northumberland Centre for Individual Studies in Cobourg: 15 new child care spaces, operated by YMCA Northumberland
A fourth location, the Canton Hub in Port Hope, was also identified as part of child care expansion plans for 2024, to be operated by YMCA Northumberland. However, this project has been delayed due to unexpected building code updates and licensing-related challenges, largely owing to the age and configuration of the building. A revised project budget is currently under development. Once all costing information has been received, partners will reassess plans and timelines, and provide an update to the community.
In 2023, the waitlist for licensed child care in Northumberland County grew by 60%, with 3,000 children waiting for spaces. In response, the County aims to add 404 new infant-to-age-six spaces by 2026, prioritizing underserved neighborhoods and high-need areas identified through population demographics and socio-economic factors. These expansion plans align with provincial targets for the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system – to make high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive child care accessible to more families.
“Opening these spaces is a top priority for everyone involved,” emphasizes Lesley Patterson. “We are working together to meet all licensing requirements, regulatory standards, and quality benchmarks so that families can count on having reliable, inclusive child care close to home.”
These efforts build on the progress made in 2023 with the addition of 10 infant child care spaces at the Brighton Children’s Centre, in partnership with the Kawartha Pine Ridge District School Board. Expansion plans, continuing into 2026, show the strong commitment of all levels of government and local child care providers to support families and create important early childhood development opportunities in the community.
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For more information:
Kate Campbell
Director, Communications and Information Technology
Northumberland County
Phone: 905-372-3329 x2335
Email: campbellk@northumberland.ca
About Northumberland County
Located on the traditional territory of the Mississauga, Northumberland County is a thriving community just one hour east of Toronto along Highway 401, with easy access to urban centres to the north, east and west. As the upper tier level of municipal government for the region, Northumberland County’s vision is to bring together people, partnerships and possibilities for a strong and vibrant Northumberland. Our community includes seven distinct yet complementary municipalities, with County Council comprised of the Mayors of each of these member municipalities:
• Township of Alnwick/Haldimand
• Municipality of Brighton
• Town of Cobourg
• Township of Cramahe
• Township of Hamilton
• Municipality of Port Hope
• Municipality of Trent Hills