Ripley, ON – The YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce is excited to announce the grand reopening of the YMCA Child Care – Ripley following extensive renovations. The centre welcomed back its young learners on Wednesday, September 4.

These renovations are part of a broader redevelopment initiative for the Ripley Medical Centre,  a project announced in March 2024. This collaborative effort involves The Township of Huron-Kinloss, the Kincardine Family Health Team, Dr. Murray, the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, the County of Bruce, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO), and the Province of Ontario. While the medical centre renovations are still underway, the child care centre is excited to be back in their space.

The updated YMCA Child Care – Ripley now boasts a reimagined floor plan that enhances the existing space, resulting in brighter, more spacious rooms. This upgrade allows for an increased capacity, with the new facility licensed to accommodate 15 toddlers and 24 preschoolers, up from the previous 10 toddlers and 16 preschoolers.

Cyndy Jefferson, Director of Child Care at the YMCA of Owen Sound Grey Bruce, shares her enthusiasm, “We are incredibly excited about our refreshed space and the opportunity to provide even more quality child care for our community. Our new environment is designed to support young learners in growing, building friendships, and creating lasting memories.” She also notes, “However, we continue to face staffing shortages and urgently need additional staff to fill our new spaces and address our extensive waitlist.”

This staffing challenge is highlighted by a recent report, “Addressing the Early Childhood Educator Labour Shortages in Canada: Challenges, Solutions and Impacts,” published by the Centre for the Study of Living Standards (CSLS) and commissioned by YMCA Canada. The report highlights the potential economic benefits of increasing wages for Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) in Canada, suggesting that higher wages could significantly boost the economy by attracting and retaining qualified ECEs, increasing maternal workforce participation, and enhancing overall economic output.

The Canadian government’s recent initiative to establish a nationwide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system aims to revolutionize child care by reducing fees for families and creating 250,000 new child care spaces by 2026. However, the success of this program is contingent upon addressing the critical shortage of qualified ECEs. The report offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders, emphasizing the need for sustainable investment in the ECE workforce to fully realize the benefits of universal child care.

Interested in joining our amazing Child Care Team? Contact us today!