NEW 75 SPACE CHILD CARE CENTRE OPENS IN MOOSE JAW

Today Moose Jaw North MLA Warren Michelson on behalf of Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz, joined Moose Jaw YMCA board members and staff, community members and families to celebrate the opening of the YMCA's new 75 space licensed child care centre, the Explore "N" Learn Childcare Centre.

"Exactly one year ago today in Moose Jaw, Minister Krawetz announced that the Government of Saskatchewan would be allocating 1,000 new licensed child care spaces, including 120 to the Moose Jaw YMCA," Michelson said. "One year later, it is great to see these much needed child care spaces at the Explore ‘N' Learn Childcare Centre up and running, in addition to the 45 new spaces at the recently opened Discover ‘N' Learn Childcare Centre."

"The motto of the YMCA of Canada is ‘We build strong kids, strong families, strong communities' and it has always been a priority for the YMCA of Moose Jaw to serve more children in the city of Moose Jaw," Moose Jaw YMCA CEO Jeff Fox said. "The expansion of childcare services to create two new centres this past year has allowed us to achieve that goal. These projects would not have been possible without the start up, capital and environment grant funding, and ongoing operating funding from the Government of Saskatchewan."

The Government of Saskatchewan provided the Moose Jaw YMCA with more than $311,000 to assist with the development of the Explore "N" Learn Childcare Centre, including $252,000 for space development grant funding, more than $41,000 to assist with the purchasing of equipment and furnishings and more than $18,000 for materials and equipment that enhance early learning. The Discover "N" Learn Childcare Centre received more than $180,000, including $151,200 for space development grant funding, more than $18,000 for equipment and furnishings and more than $11,000 for materials and equipment.

Since November 2007, the Government of Saskatchewan has directed new funding toward more than 2,900 licensed child care spaces, including 235 new licensed child care spaces announced in this year's provincial budget. By the end of 2010-11, there will be approximately 11,650 licensed child care spaces in Saskatchewan.

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For more information, contact:

Sarah Still
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-1613
Email: sarah.still@gov.sk.ca