New funding creates 51 daycare spaces for Markstay-Warren, St. Charles

Published by: Sudbury.com
Author: Sudbury.com Staff
June 2, 2026

Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Infrastructure Fund provides $3M to create daycare spaces for children up to age four in Markstay-Warren and St. Charles.

With $3 million in funding through the Canada-Ontario Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Infrastructure Fund, 51 new licensed daycare spaces will be created for families in Markstay-Warren and St. Charles, collectively referred to as Sudbury East.

In partnership with the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board (DSB) and the Municipalities of Markstay-Warren and St.-Charles, Our Children Our Future will lead the development and operation of the new spaces, a press release from the non-profit states.

The release also states the new daycare spaces will “significantly expand” access to “affordable, high-quality licensed child care services” in Sudbury East, as well as providing the first dedicated licensed infant child care spaces in that region.

“Access to licensed child care is essential for families, communities, and local economic growth,” said Donna Stewart, chief administrative officer of the Manitoulin-Sudbury District Services Board. “This investment represents an important step forward in supporting families in Sudbury East by increasing the availability of affordable licensed child care spaces where they are most needed.”

Set to open in later this year, the Warren Licensed Child Care Centre will be located at 38 Rutland St. in Warren, and will have space for 10 infants, 10 toddlers and 16 preschoolers. The St. Charles Licensed Child Care Centre will be built next to the St. Charles Arena, and will offer a family-grouping program with space for 15 children. It is also expected to open later this year.

“This project is an important investment in the future of our community,” said Markstay-Warren mayor Steve Olsen. “Access to licensed child care is critical for attracting and retaining young families, supporting local employers, and helping our community continue to grow.”

Those sentiments were echoed by the mayor of St. Charles.

“Council is proud to support this important initiative for local families,” said Mayor Paul Branconnier. “This new licensed child care centre will strengthen services available in our municipality and contribute to the long-term vitality of our community.”

These 51 newly announced daycare spaces are in addition to the previously announced development of 30 full-day licensed child care spaces at Conseil scolaire catholique Nouvelon’s École St-Thomas in Warren, including 15 French-language spaces and 15 English language spaces, bringing the total spaces to 81.

To be operated by Our Children Our Future, that space is set to open this coming fall.

These daycare projects are expected to create more than 25 new jobs in Sudbury East. Our Children Our Future said it plans to host job fairs in Sudbury East in this summer and fall to recruitment for the new centres.

“This project reflects what strong community partnerships can accomplish,” said France Gauthier, executive director of Our Children Our Future. “Families in Sudbury East have been advocating for increased access to licensed child care services for many years, and we are proud to help bring these new spaces, along with new employment opportunities, to our communities.”