Little Current, Mindemoya daycares will cease to be operated by Manitoulin Family Resources March 6

Published by: The Manitoulin Expositor
Author: Expositor Staff
February 18, 2026

MINDEMOYA—Effective March 9, the licenced child care centres in Little Current and Mindemoya along with associated EarlyON and Home Child Care programs currently operated by Manitoulin Family Resources (MFR) will transition to a new operator. 

MFR has delivered childcare and family support services to the Manitoulin community for over 23 years. 

“It has been our privilege to be part of hundreds of children’s and family’s lives,” said Colleen Hill, executive director of Manitoulin Family Resources. “We are grateful to our community partners and in particular, our staff, who have helped us to provide exemplary care and meaningful learning environments to our children. We will continue to work closely with all parties to ensure a smooth transition for everyone.”

The programs currently employ approximately 21 staff and serve families from across the region. The transition is being carefully coordinated to “ensure stability and continuity of care for children and families,” a joint MFR and Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board (DSB) press release states. 

“We are committed to supporting a smooth transition of services and ensuring continuity of care for all children and families in our community,” said Donna Stewart, CAO, District Services Board. “Families and staff will be informed of developments leading up to and through the March 9 transition.”

On February 1, a letter from the MFR executive director went out to families. It stated that MFR was currently in conversation with the DSB about “several administrative issues related to children’s services (Little Current and Mindemoya daycares, EarlyON and home childcare). We are working to resolve these issues through the appropriate channels and will keep you posted on developments as they arise.”

A letter issued on Friday, February 13 shared the news of the transition with the MFR childcare team. In it, Ms. Hill states that while families should see no disruption of service, all the employees’ contracts will end. 

“I can assure you that all terms of our collective agreement will be honoured,” Ms. Hill writes. “I understand that this will cause significant concerns and raise important questions,” she continued, offering February 17 and 18 dates for staff to come and talk to senior leadership.

Ms. Stewart told The Expositor that while the DSB is working as quickly as it can to ensure a transition of service, whether the March 6 deadline can be met is not known. “I don’t want to make any promises, but there may be a break in service,” she said.

The Rainbow Board has issued a request for proposals (RFP) for its before and after school programs in Little Current and Mindemoya while the DSB takes care of the daycare at both sites. An RFP has also been issued for the daycares.