The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce and Bluewater District School Board are excited to announce that the renovations at East Ridge Community School are complete, and the new Owen Sound YMCA Early Learning Centre is ready to open. The current Owen Sound YMCA Child Care facility, which is now 25 years old, will be relocating to the newly renovated school on August 31, 2017. Designed to be fully accessible, the new centre is conveniently located on a bus route, and will allow parents who also have school age children to utilize one central drop off point.
Inside the centre, pin pad controlled access will provide extra security to ensure safety, while high ceilings and huge banks of windows will allow plenty of natural light. Four spacious rooms will each include a kitchen for preparation of nutritious snacks and lunches, bathroom facilities, and easy access to the secure outdoor play area. Space will also be available for a designated stroller area and car seat shelving that will enable parents to leave their strollers and car seats in the event that they are designating another individual to pick up their child.
"The Y is excited to be partnering with Bluewater District School Board, and we are eager to open the child care centre at East Ridge Community School. It has been designed and built for young learners to grow, build friendships and make memories," says Dennis Morrison, Manager, Child Care at the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce. "The YMCA Early Learning Centre will offer more safe and affordable child care spaces, as well as Before and After School age spaces, which are much needed in our community."
"Our board is thrilled to see the fruition of this fantastic partnership opportunity with the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, which will be a tremendous benefit to many of our youngest learners and their families for years to come," says Bluewater District School Board Superintendent of Education Paul Hambleton.
The new centre is licensed for 78 children, which includes 30 toddlers (an increase of 15 from the former location) and 48 preschoolers (an increase of eight). The YMCA Before and After School program that will operate out of East Ridge Community School is licensed for 52 junior and senior kindergarten students, and 60 children from Grade 1 and up.
A formal opening celebration of the Owen Sound YMCA Early Learning Centre will be scheduled for later in the year.
Those wishing to be placed on the wait list for a space at the Owen Sound YMCA Early Learning Centre can register now through One List Grey County. Please visit grey.ca/childrens-services and choose the current Owen Sound Child Care option. To register a child for the YMCA Before and After School program, please use One List Grey County and choose either the Sydenham or Bayview wait list option.
