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For hundreds of families in Morden and Manitou, securing childcare still requires patience.
Despite the recent expansion, demand continues to outpace available spaces.
Executive Director Shauna Richards said Pembina Valley Child Care Centres now operates 414 licensed spaces across Morden and Manitou, but many families are still waiting for care.
"Now we have licensed in Morden and Manitou, 414 spaces. We still have on our wait list now, 223 children for just Morden. Manitou is ever so slightly less, and I believe that they are around 60," said Richards. "And so the wait list is still approximately, depending on the age of care that you're looking for, between one to two years."
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Nearly half of Morden’s wait-listed children are infants, totaling 98 spots. Richards noted that almost all of these babies have already been born, with only a small number yet to arrive.
Placement depends heavily on age. Because children move up through rooms as they grow, spaces for three and four-year-olds are often the hardest to secure.
The introduction of $10-a-day child care has also played a role in driving demand, making licensed care more affordable for families throughout the region.
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She boasted that Pembina Valley Child Care Centres prides itself on being culturally diverse and inclusive, working to ensure every family feels welcome and part of the community.
After a period of rapid growth, Richards is looking forward to stability for children, families, and staff, while continuing to work toward meeting the region’s ongoing need for care.