Leeds and Grenville is celebrating a major milestone, with all 637 new child care spaces under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program now approved and moving into construction or development.
The spaces, funded by the federal and provincial governments, are expected to be fully operational by December 31, 2026.
The expansion aims to deliver more affordable, high-quality licensed child care across the region. Officials say the growth builds on earlier success and reflects a strong commitment to accessible and sustainable early learning.
In the northern part of the Counties, Lombardy will see 13 new kindergarten spaces become CWELCC-supported, operated by Centre éducatif Les Petits Trésors, expanding access to affordable early learning opportunities for families in that area.
Gananoque will see 49 new YMCA spaces and 10 new toddler spaces at the Gananoque and District Co-Operative Nursery School. Spencerville and Cardinal will open their first-ever licensed toddler and preschool spots, adding 81 spaces combined.
Athens will gain 75 spaces through a partnership with Kampus Kids, tied to the Maple View Lodge redevelopment. In Kemptville, Madison Montessori Academy will add 99 new spaces, while Francophone programming continues to expand.
Additional home-based providers in Spencerville, Athens, Tincap, and Brockville will further support families across rural communities.
