$1.34 million will go towards a new Step Ahead Family Learning Centre in Bath
On Monday, June 2, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gillis LePage, Carleton North Mayor Andrew Harvey, Councillor Scott Oakes, and Chair of the Step Ahead Family Learning board, Somer Drost, announced that after seven years in the making, the Step Ahead Family Learning Centre will build a new daycare beside the Bath Community School.
The new daycare aims to reduce childcare waitlists and support working parents and guardians by offering affordable and reliable daycare options.
“This new daycare facility will be a game changer for our local families…it will mean that more children will have access to early-learning opportunities, which will help establish the foundation for their lifelong success,” said Harvey.
An investment of $840,000 from the Regional Development Corporation is helping to fund the construction of a 743-square-meter accessible facility. The government formally transferred the land to the District of Carleton North for a symbolic cost of just one dollar.
The federal government has donated $500,000 through the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which plans to build 3,400 new early learning childcare centres across the country by March 31, 2026.
The location was strategically chosen next to key community assets, like the community pool, Bath Community School playground, and various outdoor trails.
“A network of trails that will support outdoor learning through our newly certified forest school educator. This facility is ideally positioned to enhance the educational experience of our younger swimmers. Its proximity to Bath Community School will also strengthen collaboration between the two institutions,” said Dross.
The project aims to immediately offer six infant spaces and six more shortly.
Lepage highlighted the importance of the connection between community and childhood education.
“They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and this community has undeniably played a vital role in ensuring that more children have access to safe educational daycare environments,” said LePage.
LePage is thrilled to embark on this new journey in early childhood education and aspires for future generations to cherish their learning capacity.
“In 53 more years, hopefully, some new and a lot more kids will have gone through this daycare. And remember, as you do today, of the importance of getting infrastructures,” said LePage.
Bath Step Ahead is a non-profit organization serving the community of Bath and the surrounding area. The centre supports early childhood development, healthy parent-child interaction, and family wellness services.
