Winnipeg families will soon gain access to a new child-care facility, opening this fall. The announcement was made by Families, Children and Social Development Minister Jenna Sudds and Premier Wab Kinew, who revealed government support for this expansion to increase child-care spaces for young children.
The new facility, called the Urban Learning Centre, is operated by S.P.L.A.S.H. Child Care Inc. It will add 40 new child-care spaces, contributing to the existing services that S.P.L.A.S.H. provides. Currently, the organization runs four facilities in Winnipeg, offering a total of 236 spaces for infants, preschoolers, and school-aged children. The new site will include 10 preschool spaces and 30 spaces for school-aged children.
The Manitoba government has invested $215,000 in capital grants to create these new school-age spaces. Additionally, $13,000 has been allocated for start-up costs. Premier Kinew emphasized the need for accessible child care, describing it as a vital part of a strong economy. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to creating more child-care options for families in Manitoba.
The Government of Canada has also contributed $175,000 through the Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, along with an additional $4,500 for start-up funding. Ongoing funding will be provided for the preschool spaces to ensure the long-term success of the new facility.
Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Nello Altomare underscored the importance of fostering positive learning environments. He noted that S.P.L.A.S.H.’s programming is rooted in Indigenous knowledge, enhancing the quality of care and education for children.
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