September 10, 2003
Manitoba will provide more than $1.5 million in additional, annual support for the creation of 788 new, funded child care spaces across the province, Family Services and Housing Minister Drew Caldwell announced today.
"This funding support is another important part of our vision for an improved child care system to further strengthen children and families while helping to build communities," said Caldwell. "Early childhood education is all about growing minds and growing opportunities and I am thrilled with the progress so far, in collaboration with families and community groups, on enhancing Manitoba's child care system."
Operating grant support of $697,000 will flow to 38 child care centres. The funding is spread across all regions of the province, with priority given to communities and programs with the greatest financial need.
Six new child care centres will receive annual support:
Caldwell made the announcement at Westminster Children's Care Centre in Winnipeg, a 50-space facility that is receiving additional funding of $3,900 for four additional school-age and two pre-school spaces.
"This demonstration of the provincial government's continued commitment to quality child care in Manitoba will benefit the children, parents and everyone at our centre," said Greg Blanco, executive director of the Westminster Children's Care Centre. "With these new spaces, many more children will be able to attend not only our centre, but facilities all across the province."
This year, the provincial government has increased funding to further strengthen supports for children and families:
Throughout Manitoba, there are now 24,900 licensed child care spaces in nursery schools, infant, pre-school and school-age centres, and family child care homes.
In the past four budgets, the province has increased its commitment to early childhood development and families by a total of over $50 million. Of this amount, the Government of Canada transferred $14.8 million in 2002-03 and will contribute $19.4 million in 2003-04. This funding contributes to Manitoba's support for children and families.
Earlier this year, as part of Manitoba's Five-year Plan for Child Care, Caldwell also launched a new recruitment campaign to address the need for qualified early childhood educators. These individuals are needed to support Manitoba's commitment to increase the number of licensed child care spaces. The public education and student recruitment campaign includes expanded career-related information aimed at potential students. The information can be found on the Manitoba government Web site at www.gov.mb.ca/childcare.
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DETAILS
New, annual operating grant support for 38 child care centres:
Brandon Friendship Centre Inc. in Brandon - $119,080 for 32 pre-school and four infant spaces
Centre d’Enfants St. Claude Children’s Centre in St. Claude – $97,282 for 16 pre-school, 15 school-age and eight infant spaces
Northern Tykes Day Care in Snow Lake - $78,208 for 24 pre-school and four infant spaces
Petits Choux Daycare Inc. in Somerset - $65,423 for 16 pre-school, 15 nursery school and four infant spaces
Winnipeg Beach Tiny Tots in Winnipeg Beach - $61,152 for 16 pre-school and four infant spaces
Little Saints Learning Centre in Winnipeg - $61,152 for 16 pre-school and four infant spaces
Benito Daycare in Benito - $52,264 for 12 pre-school and four infant spaces
Brandon Family YMCA Child Care in Brandon - $50,648 for 24 pre-school spaces
Brock Corydon Day Care in Winnipeg - $49,912 for 20 pre-school and 12 school-age spaces
Salvation Army Weston Child Care in Winnipeg - $43,202 for 16 pre-school and 15 school-age spaces
River West Park Kids Inc. in Winnipeg - $39,500 for 30 school-age and 10 pre-school spaces
Beausejour Kids Centre in Beausejour - $36,130 for 15 school-age and four infant spaces
Wawanesa Wee Care in Wawanesa - $34,112 for 16 pre-school spaces
Little Friends Day Care in Winnipeg - $33,800 for five infant spaces
Little Lambs Christian Pre-school in Winnipeg - $27,716 for 13 pre-school spaces
Heritage Park – Jameswood in Winnipeg - $27,040 for four infant spaces
Little Dreamers Day Care in The Pas - $27,040 for four infant spaces
Morrow Avenue Day Care (Lavallee) in Winnipeg - $27,040 for four infant spaces
Beaverlodge Care for Kids in Winnipeg - $25,810 for 25 school-age and five pre-school spaces
Munroe Early Childhood Education SA in Winnipeg - $16,362 for 27 school-age spaces
La Prematernelle du St. Laurent in St. Laurent - $13,520 for two infant spaces
Wee Care Child Care in Carmen - $10,908 for 18 school-age spaces
Checkerberry House Inc. in Winnipeg - $10,660 for five pre-school spaces
General Vanier Children’s Centre Inc. in Winnipeg - $9,090 for 15 school-age spaces
Richer Community Before & After School Program in Richer - $9,090 for 15 school-age spaces
Grunthal Christian Pre-school in Grunthal - $5,695 for 20 nursery school spaces
Westminster Children’s Centre Inc. in Winnipeg - $6,688 for four school-age and two pre-school spaces
Stanley Knowles Children’s Centre in Winnipeg - $6,666 for 11 school-age spaces
Epiphany Children’s Centre Inc. in Winnipeg - $4,848 for eight school-age spaces
Voyageur in School in Winnipeg - $4,848 for eight school-age spaces
Arborg Play Group in Arborg - $3,085 for .3 infant spaces (converts two pre-school to one infant space)
Spring Meadows School-age Centre in Winnipeg - $3,030 for five school-age spaces
Six centres will be eligible for funding when they open:
Red River College Campus Day Care in Winnipeg - $166,400 for 40 pre-school and 12 infant spaces
Carberry Child Care Co-operative in Carberry - $126,575 for 32 pre-school, 15 nursery school and eight infant spaces
Neepawa Community Child Care Centre in Neepawa - $125,152 for 32 pre-school, 10 nursery school and eight infant spaces
Hamiota Kids Klub in Hamiota - $97,282 for 16 pre-school, 15 school-age and eight infant spaces
Wabowden Day Care in Wabowden - $34,112 for 16 pre-school spaces
Gabrielle Roy Child Care Centre in Iles des Chenes - $9,090 for 15 school-age spaces.
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