MINTO – The Clifford Community Hall may be home to a 70-space child care facility sometime in the near future.
KinderRise Academy representative Kasia Baniak presented a proposal for an early learning centre to Minto council on Aug. 12.
“Our proposed licensed centre will meet the growing demand for spaces in underserved areas while supporting the goals of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care System (CWELCC),” she explained.
CWELCC aims to provide more accessible child care options and to lower fees.
Baniak identified a significant gap in licensed child care spaces in rural areas, noting the access rates fall “well below” the provincial goal of 37 per cent.
The proposed centre at 2 William St. N. would have a capacity for 70 children, including nine infants, 45 toddlers and 16 preschoolers.
“By investing in this project council members will be helping to create an essential community asset,” said Baniak.
“One that reduces wait lists, strengthens family stability [and] supports workforce participation.”
As for how much the project will cost, Baniak told the Advertiser, “There’s no way to tell at this point, we’re not in the financial part of it yet.”
The county is to provide funding through CWELCC but “it’s already been communicated that they do not have enough funding already,” Baniak said.
She added the county will be allocating per-space funding, but she isn’t sure of specifics as the project is in the early stages.
Based on the service agreement with the county, KinderRise will have to be operational by the end of 2026.
“We are hoping we don’t have to wait that long,” she said.
No draft designs have been created to transform the Clifford hall, but Baniak said her vision is to “provide care to these little people who are our future.”
‘Sorely needed in our community’
Councillor Judy Dirkson asked if KinderRise is a franchise, to which Baniak replied, “We have an expansion that is in Wellington County, York region [and] Peel (region).
“We’re starting here [as] we believe the smaller communities that are underserved have a greater need for childcare spaces.
“If all is approved by the county and Minto, this will be the first KinderRise daycare in all the areas mentioned.
“We have a CWELCC application in Peel region that’s being reviewed,” she said.
“We have to align with the timelines of the municipalities and regions that distribute the funding.”
The proposed centre would occupy the community hall from Monday to Friday.
“We have looked at the Clifford Community Hall as an opportunity given its availability currently,” chief administrative officer Gregg Furtney told council.
Baniak noted the academy will be starting from the ground up and is actively looking to hire staff.
“It’s certainly sorely needed in our community,” said Mayor Dave Turton.
“If people don’t have a place to take their children, then we’re in trouble.”
Director of economic and community development Belinda Wick-Graham noted the town’s business retention expansion survey identifies the continued challenge of childcare.
Fifty surveys have been completed, she said, with childcare identified as a disadvantage for businesses in Minto.
Council unanimously agreed to direct staff to prepare and forward a letter of intent and support to KinderRise Academy, which will be provided to the county.
