Celebration of Early Learning and Child Care Centre in Manchester
Calgary Housing Company (CHC) and The City of Calgary are celebrating the grand opening of an Early Learning and Child Care Centre (ELCC) at Lumino South, a City-owned affordable housing property in the southwest community of Manchester.
Thornhill Child Care Society operates the Centre, serving 84 children including CHC tenants and families in the surrounding area. Through the provincially-funded ELCC, Thornhill provides care for children up to six years old with maximum fees of $25 per day.
“The day care in Lumino South brings quality, affordable child care within reach for CHC tenants and many other families in the community,” says Sarah Woodgate, the Director of Calgary Housing and President of CHC.
“This is important to our children, and just as important to the workforce and society as a whole. Affordable child care allows parents to go to school or work; improving themselves and improving the situation for their family,” she says.
The Government of Alberta announced in April that the Centre was part a project to provide supports for children with diverse needs and implement an early learning child care curriculum.
“When we drop our kids off at daycare each day we expect that they will be given the nurturing support they need to grow and thrive. That’s why I’m so proud that our government is making quality child care available to parents at Thornhill for no more than $25 a day. Our government is focused on making life better for families, and making child care more affordable is a key part of that work,” says Hon. Danielle Larivee, Minister of Children’s Services.
The collaboration transforms 4,000 square feet of space into a child care facility. Thornhill, a not-for-profit child care provider, offers supports in the Centre targeted to single parents as well as indigenous, immigrant, and refugee children.
The City and CHC collaborated in 2016 to assess community needs with residents indicating access to affordable, quality child care was a priority.
Additional quotes
“Affordable child care benefits the child, parent, family, and community. We are pleased to be partners with Calgary Housing Company, providing a secure, caring and quality learning environment at Lumino South for infants and children.”
– Neela Ward, Executive Director, Thornhill Child Care Society
Milestones
October 2016 Calgary Housing and Calgary Neighbourhoods collaborate to assess community needs; residents indicate access to affordable, quality child care is a priority
March 3, 2016 Notice of Motion passed by Calgary City Council allows Calgary Housing Company to seek a qualified daycare provider for our tenants in Lumino South
April 6, 2017 Government of Alberta announces 22 daycare centres will get funding for Early Learning and Child Care Centres; Thornhill Child Care Society is among the recipients
July 31, 2017 Land use amendment for Lumino South pave the way for development of child care centre to begin
Aug 29, 2017 Occupancy permit received
Oct 25, 2017 Official Grand Opening event
