The YMCA began offering summer day camps and after-school programming in Eastern Charlotte in 2018. Recreation programming expanded to Blacks Harbour in 2022. In 2023, the YMCA received designated child care spaces and began planning a new child care centre.

The centre is anticipated to open in mid-2027. Updates will be shared as construction and planning progress.

The centre will be built on the site of the current skate park in St. George. A new skate park will be developed near the ball field.

Currently, all licensed child care centres in Eastern Charlotte are located in Blacks Harbour and Penfield. St. George provides a central location, available land and access to additional amenities for children.

The new facility will be approximately 6,200 square feet and will offer 82 licensed spaces.

The centre will offer:

• 52 spaces for children ages one to five
• 30 after-school spaces for children ages five and older

Current designated child care fees are:

• Infants: $19 per day
• Preschool-aged children: $16 per day
• After-school care: $116 per week

Fees are subject to applicable provincial policies and may change before the centre opens.

Financial support is also available through the YMCA's annual Strong Communities Fund.

Designated spaces are part of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which aims to make child care more affordable, accessible, inclusive and high quality.

The federal government has bilateral agreements with each province. In New Brunswick, designated spaces receive funding that reduces fees for families.

The Province of New Brunswick issued a call for proposals and awarded spaces based on identified community needs. Community surveys helped determine how many spaces were required in different areas.

The centre is expected to operate from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

It will be open on school professional development days and during many school holidays. It will close on statutory holidays and for two staff development days each year.

The centre will follow the New Brunswick Early Learning and Child Care Curriculum and the YMCA Playing to Learn curriculum.

YMCA Playing to Learn is a research-based, play-centred approach that nurtures children’s development and helps prepare them for school through interest-based learning.

Activities are guided by children’s natural curiosity and developmental levels. Educators observe children’s interests, participate in play when invited and create experiences that extend learning. Play is planned, respected, supported, observed and documented, helping children develop social, emotional and problem-solving skills.

The building may also support:

• Summer day camps
• Pre-K programming
• Playgroups
• Recreation programs
• Family events

The centre is expected to create approximately 15 to 20 jobs, including:

• One supervisor
• Approximately 10 educators
• One cook
• Two or more support educators
• One cleaner
• Additional support positions as required

Positions are expected to be posted approximately six months before the centre opens. Successful candidates will begin before opening to complete orientation and training.

Opportunities will be posted on the Careers page of the YMCA of Southwestern New Brunswick website.

The centre will be a high-quality, durable building designed to serve families for many years. Its construction will reflect the demands of a busy child care facility while helping to minimize future municipal maintenance and upgrade costs.

The YMCA’s Strong Communities Campaign raises funds to help ensure that financial circumstances are not a barrier to participation. The YMCA believes everyone should have the opportunity to belong and benefit from its programs.