Families on the Bruce Peninsula now have expanded child care options in a newly renovated learning environment at St. Edmunds Public School in Tobermory.
Representatives from Bluewater District School Board, Bruce County, Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, and Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre attended a grand opening, ribbon cutting, and tour at the new facility on Monday, November 6, 2023.
The 39-space child care centre, which includes one toddler room and one preschool room, was made possible through approximately $940,000 in Ministry of Education Child Care Capital Funding and the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Plan. The project is a partnership between Bluewater District School Board and Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre.
“We are determined to build schools and expansions faster, part of our commitment to modernize schools and create new child care spaces in fast growing communities,” says Stephen Lecce, Minister of Education. “We are proud to deliver this critical child care centre at St. Edmunds Public School for Tobermory families, along with increasing funding, staffing, and a back-to-basics focus on reading, writing, and math skills to help ensure students graduate with confidence that they can succeed in good-paying careers.”
“It is such an exciting time as we celebrate the opening of this incredible new child care facility in St. Edmunds Public School,” says Bluewater District School Board Chair and Town of South Bruce Peninsula/Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula Trustee Jane Thomson. “Thank you to the Ministry of Education for their funding support, our local MPP for their continued advocacy to meet this need in the community for many Northern Bruce Peninsula families, and the federal government for their financial contributions. This endeavour would also not be possible without our partners at Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre, Bruce County, the Municipality of Northern Bruce Peninsula, and our board staff. Their combined efforts and shared commitment have produced a modernized and inspiring learning environment that will contribute to the growth and early development of current and future generations of young children in our area.”
“It is great to see these additional child care spaces for the Tobermory community,” says Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound MPP Rick Byers. “This increased capacity will give parents and caregivers more choices in managing their busy schedules.”
“This move has been a long-awaited step for us at Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre,” says Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre Supervisor Andrea Munn. “This marks the beginning of a new journey as a licensed child care facility in Tobermory, not only for Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre, but for all the families enrolled with us, all the educators that work hard caring for our children, and our community as a whole. We are so excited to embark on this next chapter with everyone to continue our commitment of offering affordable quality child care to our area and creating a nourishing environment for all of the children we care for!”
Northern Bruce Peninsula Mayor Milt McIver highlights, “Integrating Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre within St. Edmunds Public School forges a seamless educational journey for our young learners. This move will not only ease the transition from daycare to elementary school but will also provide children with a nurturing environment that will foster both academic and interpersonal skills. I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to Bluewater District School Board and the staff members of Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre for all of their efforts.”
Bruce County Warden Chris Peabody adds, “Bruce County, as a service system manager, takes pride in ensuring that the licensed child care and early years system is collaborative, responsive, and accountable in meeting the current and long-term needs of families across the County. We are excited to work with child care providers, like Tobermory Primary Place Child Care Centre, to support families in receiving high quality, affordable, inclusive, and accessible licensed child care options.”