Huron County Council approved the drafting of two agreements aimed at increasing child care spaces in the region.
The first agreement with North Huron Municipal Child Care will create 26 new child care spaces in Blyth. In return, the county approved $350,000 in federal and provincial funding be contributed through a start-up grant.
Cheryl Patience, Manager of Ontario Works and Children's Services said it's part of the County's goal to create an additional 175 child spaces between 2022 and 2026, particularly in "priority areas."
"We are looking at our underserved areas because there's demand everywhere and it's country-wide," she said. "The five-year plan that targeted areas where shortcomings are in the county, we're working with providers in those areas in particular."
As a result, the County will also enter into a lease agreement to use a space in the Exeter Lions club for Huron County's Children's Services, to increase its presence in South Huron. The five-year lease will cost $3,200 a month.
Patience reminded all childcare providers that support funding is available and to apply with the County.
"Our goal is to just keep encouraging people and keep trying to grow. A lot of it does come down to staffing," she said. "So we need the people to work in the childcare centres, which is always troublesome to get the staff. As our communities keep growing we hope that brings more staff, but that also puts more demand on the childcare system."
