The former SCITS high school on Wellington Street in Sarnia could welcome children back to the property within the year.
The historic site was purchased from the Lambton Kent District School Board in September 2021.
Toronto-area Developer Rakesh Gupta said the hope is to open a child care centre by this summer, ideally in July.
"We need to do some modifications, make small washrooms for the little ones, et cetera," he said.
Gupta said so far more than 50 kids are on the waiting list.
Encouraged by the positive response to a child care centre, Gupta said there are also plans to operate a high-school that would run similar to a boarding school. He also said the school would operate with a capacity of approximately 250-300 students.
"There's more work to be done so maybe we'll start with a few students -- maybe 40 to 50 students -- in September and maybe next year [there will be] more."
Gupta said they're waiting on certain approvals from the Ministry of Education, which typically takes some time to obtain. Meanwhile, planning official with the City of Sarnia said staff have received an application for the former SCITS site and are reviewing it for completeness, before it advances any further in the planning process.
Between the different projects, Gupta said at least 50 jobs will be created.
"We would like to invite local teachers to contact us to join our team," he said. Teachers can get in touch by emailing sarnia@collegiatekids.ca.
Gupta said the community response has been "excellent".
"We have been talking and meeting with our neighbours, to the businesses around us and there [has been] excellent feedback and support," he said. "We are very happy with the friendly interactions in the community."
He said a public meeting to discuss plans for the property was held in December and another is planned for early to mid March.