Palmerston child care centre officially opened

PALMERSTON - A new county-operated child care centre was officially opened here last week.

In 2015, the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) was approved for $1.54 million dollars through the Ministry of Education’s Capital Funding for New Construction of Child Care program.

The new Palmerston Child Care and Learning Centre, located beside Palmerston Public School on Prospect Street, provides 49 new child care spaces for infants, toddlers and preschool aged children.

The centre, which opened in October 2018, is operated by the County of Wellington.

Officials from the UGDSB and the County of Wellington officially opened the centre on April 17.

“Child care is becoming an increasingly integrated system. We were pleased to work together with the county to help meet the needs of our families,” said UGDSB chair Linda Busuttil.

Luisa Artuso, director of the county’s early years division, noted in a press release, “We are grateful for this opportunity to expand much needed high-quality licensed child care spaces in Palmerston for county residents.”

Wellington County councillor and social services committee chair David Anderson said, “This is a facility of high-quality, licensed child care that supports young children in learning and developing and their well-being.”

“We know how important quality child care is to families,” said Warden Kelly Linton.

“There is strong evidence that the participation of women in the labour force is good for the economy and accountable, high-quality child care is good for child well being. Centres like this one support jobs and investment, contribute to increased family income and help reduce child poverty,” the warden continued.

“As a county it’s our goal for each of our member municipalities to have high-quality, available, affordable and accessible child care,” Linton added.

For information on registration for child care spaces contact Christine Biggar at 519-417-2902.