The County of Wellington officially re-opened the new Willowdale Child Care and Learning Centre in Guelph on Dec. 22.
The new centre is located at 95 Willow Road on the same parcel of land as the former building, which was closed after asbestos was discovered in May of 2013.
The new $2.4-million dollar centre offers spaces for children from birth to four years of age, including six spaces for infants, 10 spaces for toddlers and 16 spaces for preschoolers.
The program is fully inclusive for children with special needs and disabilities.
The hours of operation are 7am to 5:30pm Monday to Friday.
The centre was built to the “emerald level” of certification of the Green Legacy Building Construction Standards – the county’s highest standard – ensuring it is has sustainable features that reduce energy consumption.
“The County of Wellington is extremely excited to open the doors to the new Willowdale Child Care and Learning Centre,” said Warden George Bridge. “These are much needed high quality spaces that will be provided in this new and modern learning environment.”
County officials state in a press release that every aspect of the fully-accessible building has been designed to support children’s healthy development and early childhood education.
Additional features include:
– indoor and outdoor environments designed to emphasize connections with nature;
– early learning materials chosen by educators to “inspire children to indulge in their curiosity and provoke creative, and interactive play”; and
– a family and multi-purpose room.
“This centre is a beautiful place for beautiful things to happen,” states Luisa Artuso, the county’s director of child care services.
“It is a place where children will come with their families in the most critical years of their lives, to be welcomed and supported for who they are as well as to explore, grow and help shape who they will become.”
For more information about available child care call the centre at 519-822-6010.
