Government Building New Child Care Spaces in Pickering

 Province Approves Child Care Renovation to Bayview Heights PS 

 February 3, 2021 

 PICKERING,ON – As part of Ontario’s ongoing efforts to build and improve local schools, the province has given Durham District School Board approval to proceed to tender for a child care renovation to Bayview Heights Public School. 

The $1.1 million investment will add a new, quality learning environment for the students of Pickering. This project is part of the province’s capital investment program to build more child care spaces for Ontario’s families. 

“The funding for this child care renovation at Bayview Heights PS is great news for our community,” said Peter Bethlenfalvy, MPP for Pickering-Uxbridge. “This investment will provide choice and flexibility for families and new opportunities for the children of Pickering.” 

Ontario’s investment in new and updated schools will create the foundation for a modern learning environment for hundreds of students across the province. 

“From modernizing our curriculum to revitalizing our classrooms and their facilities, we are investing in our students and giving them every tool to achieve their full potential,” said Education Minister Stephen Lecce. “Construction of the child care renovation to Bayview Heights PS further demonstrates our government’s historic investment in Ontario’s schools and child cares, as well as our overall commitment to supporting our students and families.” 

Highlights of the child care renovation include: 

  • • 49 new licensed child care spaces. 
  • • 3 new child care rooms. 

“The Durham District School Board welcomes this support from the Province of Ontario to increase child care spaces in Pickering and Durham Region. This funding will provide much needed child care options for families in our growing community and help create a more equitable education system,” said Carolyn Morton, Chair, Durham District School Board 

Bayview Heights Public School is located at 1400 Garvolin Avenue, Pickering. 

Quick Facts: 

  • The Ontario Government is working with school board partners to invest in capital projects that advance safe and accessible learning opportunities for students. 
  • To create new opportunities for Ontario’s families, the government is investing up to $1 billion to create up to 30,000 new child care spaces in schools over five years. 
  • The Ontario Government announced in Budget 2020 that over the next ten years, Ontario is investing $13 billion in capital grants, including allocating $550M in 2020-21 for new schools, additions and major renovations. 
  • This massive investment will build new schools and help existing schools after a decade of closures and maintenance backlog. 
  • Ontario is also providing school boards with a historic $1.4 billion in funding to renew and maintain existing schools. 
  • This funding could be used to replace aging heating or air conditioning systems, repair roofs and windows, and install important accessibility features like elevators and ramps.