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Access to licensed childcare in Centre Wellington remains 'extremely low'

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The township currently has an access rate of 17.8 per cent compared to an average access rate of 23.3 per cent in Guelph-Wellington and Ontario's target rate of 37 per cent
Author: 
Buckmaster, Isabel
Format: 
Article
Publication Date: 
16 Jul 2024
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Excerpt

The township of Centre Wellington needs help to address its childcare needs and is looking to the County of Wellington for support. 

Supporting staff recommendations for a collaborative approach to childcare planning, funding, administration and operations led by the County of Wellington at a council meeting Monday afternoon, Centre Wellington councillors have directed staff to send a letter to the county encouraging county council to consider investigating building childcare facilities.

Council also voted to defer decisions on future outdoor recreation needs in Belwood until the ongoing Parks and Recreation Plan is completed. 

"I think we've all come to the realization (licensed childcare is) a really important file not only for our community but for the county as well," said Mayor Shawn Watters, who had previously made a notice of motion to investigate additional childcare facilities in Belwood. "I think we have a real opportunity with the working of between the county and developers and ourselves to provide a much-needed resource and potential facilities in our community." 

According to a report on Belwood childcare from CAO Dan Wilson, there are no current plans to build or operate additional childcare centres in Wellington County but the county has shared they are open to ongoing discussions and potential partnerships as "they see the need for childcare in Centre Wellington and the rest of the county."

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