Thames Valley has received funding approval from the Ministry of Education to construct a new child care and EarlyON child and family centre at Aldborough Public School. This $3.9 million project includes child care spaces for 10 infants, 15 toddlers, and 24 preschoolers, as well as a family age grouping room accommodating an additional 15 children. The child and family centre will offer programs and services that promote early learning and development and provide referrals to specialized services. Children will have access to play and inquiry-based learning opportunities.

Location

11443 Furnival Rd
Rodney, ON

Timeline

Official Opening Ceremony May 2023

Project information

• Budget: $3.9 million
• Capacity: 49 children + family age grouping room accommodating up to 15 children
• Child Care Centre Operator: Dutton Co-Operative Child Care Centre
• EarlyON Child and Family Centre Operator: Tiny Tots Co-Operative Nursery School

Project Status

• Construction complete
• Official Opening Ceremony May 2023

Documents

• Floor plan
• Rendering of the exterior

 Photos

Updates

Posted Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Opening ceremony planned for the new Child Care Centre, Preschool Program, and EarlyON Child and Family Centre at Aldborough Public School

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."

Posted Monday, November 8, 2021

Tender awarded for Aldborough PS child care centre

The Thames Valley District School Board is excited to announce work will soon get underway on a $3.9-million Child Care Centre and EarlyON Child and Family Centre at Aldborough Public School in the community of Rodney. 

“This is excellent news for Thames Valley families in western Elgin County,” said Board Chair Lori-Ann Pizzolato, noting that construction is expected to get underway in Spring 2022 with a projected opening in January 2023.

“This is a great example of the Thames Valley District School Board finding opportunities and working collaboratively with the Ministry of Education, local municipalities and child care operators to provide the services our school communities want and need,” said Education Director Mark Fisher.

The Child Care Centre will provide licensed child care for 10 infants, 15 toddlers, and 24 preschoolers. In addition, there will be a Family Age Group of 15 children that will provide child care for multi-aged children to meet the unique rural child care needs in the community. 

“Hard-working families deserve safe and affordable high-quality child care,” said Minister of Education Stephen Lecce. “By building a new Child Care Centre and EarlyON Child and Family Centre at Aldborough Public School, our government is providing real support to parents, and preparing the children of Rodney for lifelong success.”

The EarlyON Child and Family Centre will offer families programs and services that promote early learning and development and provide referrals to specialized services. Children will have access to play- and inquiry-based learning opportunities. 

“I am very pleased that families in West Elgin finally have access to additional licensed childcare options in their home community,” said Jeff Yurek, MPP. “The addition of these spaces represents a host of new opportunities for both parents and children at a time when access to childcare has never been more important.”

The child care centre, operated by Dutton Co-Operative Child Care Centre, while the EarlyON Child and Family Centre will be operated by Tiny Tots Co-Operative Nursery School.

Thames Valley is grateful for the continued support of the Ministry of Education and collaboration with the City of St. Thomas and County of Elgin.

“As the CMSM, we are thrilled to be moving ahead with this long-awaited project,” said Teresa Sulowski, of St. Thomas-Elgin Children's Services. “We look forward to working in partnership with TVDSB on this much anticipated Early Years project and would like to acknowledge all the hard work the TVDSB team has invested in this project, and we eagerly await the next steps.”

Posted Monday, March 19, 2018

TVDSB to open more child care centres and EarlyON Child and Family Centres

More than 300 licensed child care spaces for families are slated for construction at Thames Valley schools as part of a $1.6-billion investment by the Ministry of Education over the next five years to increase access for 100,000 more children birth – 4 years in licensed child care spaces across Ontario.

In addition to creating access to thousands of new licensed child care spaces across the province, the Ministry of Education is also investing funding to support the creation of 100 additional EarlyON Child and Family Centre locations over the next three years.

As part of the Ministry’s "schools-first" approach to building child care centres and child and family centres in schools, TVDSB has been approved for funding to build new child care centres and EarlyON Child and Family Centres at the following schools:

River Heights Public School, Dorchester: This $3.75-million project includes child care spaces for 10 infants, 30 toddlers, and 48 preschoolers. The project will also include an EarlyON Child and Family Centre, where families will benefit from programs and services that promote early learning and development, provide information about other community programs/services and referrals to specialized services. Children will have access to play and inquiry-based learning opportunities. Both the child care centre and EarlyON Child and Family Centre are anticipated to open by September 2019. The operator(s)’ contact information will be provided as it becomes available at www.tvdsb.ca/childcare