Child Care Expansion in the City of Kenora – KDSB and Confederation College welcome children to its Lake of the Woods Early Learning Centre

Families in Kenora have more options for childcare as the Kenora District Services Board (KDSB) and Confederation College–Lake of the Woods Campus celebrated the opening of a brand-new Early Learning Centre. At a private ribbon-cutting ceremony on November 10th, the partners came together to mark the opening of the Early Learning Centre and its 49 new Child Care spaces, part of the province’s Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care initiative to create 1,101 spaces across the District.

The partnership was initially announced in 2024. The KDSB Early Years and Infrastructure team, the Confederation College team, and the Honourable Minister Greg Rickford: Kenora- Rainy River attended the gathering along with local media representatives. The Lake of the Woods Early Learning Centre is now open, and KDSB’s Child Care Direct Delivery Team is responsible for its operations.

“Today is an exciting day for everyone involved, especially for families that require childcare. The Lake of the Woods Early Learning Centre and its 49 spaces are a vital investment in our community’s future, providing working families with the reliable, high-quality care they need to thrive. Thank you to Confederation College for your partnership in this project and seeing its true potential, and to the Honourable Minister Greg Rickford and the Province for the support provided to bring this project to life,” said Sarah Stevenson, Chief Executive Officer, KDSB.

“Strong communities are built through partnerships that respond to local needs. Through our Early Childhood Education program, we understand the importance of quality child care to families and communities, as well as the need to prepare skilled early childhood educators. The Lake of the Woods Early Learning Centre is a great example of what can happen when we work together to meet community needs, while also creating valuable learning and placement opportunities for our students. Confederation College is proud to work with the Kenora District Services Board to support families, learners and the community,” said Michelle Salo, President, Confederation College.

“When we first announced this partnership in 2024, we saw an opportunity to do something meaningful for both our students and the Kenora community. Today, it’s wonderful to see that vision become a reality. This centre will provide much-needed child care for local families while creating opportunities to connect early childhood education with hands-on learning. We’re proud to work alongside KDSB to bring this important service to our campus,” said Angelina Anderson, Director, Western Region & Employment Services, Confederation College.

“Partnering with the Kenora District Services Board, we’re making child care more affordable for families in the Northwest while creating new opportunities for children to learn, grow and thrive. These new spaces represent a significant expansion of licensed child care across the region, supporting working parents, strengthening our communities and ensuring families in Northwestern Ontario have access to the services they need to build a strong future,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships.

The 4,040-square-foot Lake of the Woods Early Learning Centre will provide ten infant spaces, fifteen toddler spaces, and twenty-four preschool spaces. To apply for the KDSB’s Licenced Early Learning and Care Programs Waitlist, please visit: KDSB Waitlist Application page(opens in new window).

Media Contact:

• Roberta Lappage
  Communications Officer
  Kenora District Services Board
  (807) 223-2100 x 2474
  rlappage@kdsb.on.ca
• Scott Hobbs
  Coordinator, Media, Storytelling, Marketing & Communications
  Cell: (807) 621-5265
  Office: (807) 475-6295
  scott.hobbs@confederationcollege.ca