The Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB) will celebrate the official opening of the Child Care Centre, Preschool Program, and EarlyON Child and Family Centre at Aldborough Public School on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, at 2:00 p.m.

The celebration will include student performances, a video presentation as well as greetings from school administrators, Elgin County Trustee Megan Ruddock, TVDSB Associate Director Riley Culhane, St. Thomas Elgin Service System Manager Teresa Sulowski, and Child Care and EarlyON Child and Family Centre operators.

The $3.9 million project includes child care spaces for 10 infants, 15 toddlers, and 24 preschoolers and a licensed preschool program for 15 children. Child Care is provided by Dutton Co-Operative Child Care Centre. The EarlyON Child and Family Centre offers families programs and services that promote early learning and development and provide referrals to specialized services.

The renovation was one of several projects that were a part of $1.6-billion investment by the Ministry of Education since 2018 to increase access for 100,000 more children birth to 4 years in licensed child care spaces across Ontario.

“I know I speak for Thames Valley District School Board when I say we are proud to have been a part of this project,” said TVDSB Director of Education, Mark Fisher. “This week’s ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate what’s possible when school boards, the Province, local governments, organizations and communities work together to support the needs of families.”

“I am pleased that the integrated conversations have led to this collaborative building opportunity for the betterment of families in Rodney and the surrounding area," said Elgin County Trustee, Meagan Ruddock. "This highlights the importance of community collaboration, and I am thrilled to see those efforts come to fruition."

"As the St. Thomas Elgin system service manager we are extremely privileged to have worked in collaboration with such an innovative and creative team," said System Service Manager for St. Thomas Elgin, Teresa Sulowski. "Carlos Henriquez [TVDSB Manager, Capital Projects] and Holly Gerrits [TVDSB Early Years Advisor] were instrumental in ensuring this project through to its completion. This is a true example of strong partnerships working together towards the good of the community. We are very proud to have been part of this project."