Sudbury childcare centre expands amid ongoing shortages

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Discovery Early Learning and Care celebrated the grand opening of its new Gemmell Street location on Friday, adding 84 new childcare spaces to Sudbury’s strained system. Combined with 50 existing spaces relocated from its former Garson site, the centre now offers 134 spots – yet demand still far outpaces supply, with thousands of families on waitlists and staff leaving the sector.

The new facility includes 10 licensed infant spots, but 175 infants remain on the waitlist. Officials say addressing the crisis requires collaboration across all levels of government.

“The province and the federal government have provided some funding for expansion,” said Tyler Campbell, Greater Sudbury’s director of children and social services.

“We work with nonprofit providers to create more spaces… One [project] just opened last month at Laurentian, and we’ll continue moving forward.”

Tracy Saarikoski, executive director of Discovery Early Learning & Care’s main site, stressed workforce challenges.

“We can’t grow this sector without early childhood educators,” she said.

“Many have left for jobs at Costco or Tim Hortons. We need government investment now –better wages, benefits, and pensions – to retain and recruit staff.”

Sudbury MP Viviane Lapointe reiterated Ottawa’s commitment to $10−a−day childcare but acknowledged more spots are needed.

“We signed an agreement with Ontario; now we must renew it,” she said.

“We want to achieve $10-a-day care and expand access – waitlists are too long.”

While Friday’s opening brings relief to some families, advocates say systemic underfunding and staffing shortages remain unresolved.