Media Release |

The Manitoba government is providing a total of $281,572 in grant funding to support 34 innovative projects to make facility improvements, enhance health and safety and support access and inclusivity at child-care facilities through the Child Care Sustainability Trust, Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Wayne Ewasko announced today.

“Our government understands that as parents work, seek employment and attend educational programs, that access to quality child care that meets the needs of families is more important than ever,” said Ewasko. “These grants build on other recent investments to support increased access to child-care services across the province, and will support a wide range of facility needs to ensure quality child-care services are available to Manitoba families.”

ESRSS Daycare Inc. in Swan River received funding for Program enhancement and outdoor facility improvement.

The trust supports eligible licensed child-care facilities by providing one-time grant funding for projects directed at:

infrastructure improvements including major repairs to aging buildings, one-time support for unexpected events, and new or replacement equipment to improve indoor and outdoor play-based learning opportunities;

program enhancements to improve quality, accessibility and inclusivity through new and innovative programming approaches, and physical improvements for accessible indoor or outdoor spaces;

new equipment and maintenance/replacement of aging equipment; and

professional development and learning opportunities that enhance programming in innovative ways, such as culturally based or specialized training for children with additional needs.

The minister noted facilities serving Indigenous, low-income, newcomer, francophone or rural/northern communities, or communities with low child-care coverage were prioritized, as were projects that address health and safety concerns.

The Manitoba government established the Child Care Sustainability Trust in 2020 with an endowment of $11.5 million managed by The Winnipeg Foundation. Qualifying applicants are eligible for up to $25,000 for licensed child-care centres and $5,000 for child-care homes.

More than $384,000 in total funding will be available for the grant under the 2023-24 application process for approved projects to be completed before March 31, 2025. All licensed child-care facilities are eligible to apply. The deadline to apply is Sept. 30.