Red River College Polytechnic (RRC Polytech) continues to remove barriers for its staff and students when it comes to accessing childcare, while remaining in front of what’s ahead as Manitoba’s largest early childhood education training institution.

As announced in July, the provincial and federal governments have committed to making childcare more available and accessible, through the expansion of child-care spaces and projects in public schools and post-secondary institutions.

Funding provided by the Canada-Manitoba Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement will enable RRC Polytech to add 20 additional child-care spots at the Notre Dame Campus’ RRC Early Childhood Centre Inc.

“We know that childcare is a necessity for Canadian families. That is why Canada and Manitoba are making sure that families in Manitoba have better access to early learning and childcare, no matter where they live,” said federal Families, Children and Social Development Minister Karina Gould in a joint news release.

In addition to adding child-care spots, as part of the post-secondary institution expansions, RRC Polytech is one of six sites that will undergo construction of a new innovative learning lab for early childhood education. The new learning lab will enhance experiential training for students in the Early Childhood Education program, so they can learn to create environments that stimulate the intellectual, emotional and social development of young children.

“We know that the lack of childcare can be a barrier in pursuing or furthering an education. The investment will help reduce this barrier by increasing access to childcare for students as well as staff,” said RRC Polytech Executive Director of Academic, Dr. Jeanine Webber. “Funding will also support rich learning opportunities for the next generation of child-care providers, through the creation of a new learning lab on campus.”

Further details about the construction and anticipated opening date for the new early childhood learning lab will be shared as they are available.

For those interesting in pursuing a rewarding career in childcare, RRC Polytech’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Workplace program is offering additional, limited seats for Fall 2023. This accelerated program allows experienced child-care assistants working in licensed child-care programs across Manitoba to remain employed while obtaining the specialized skills needed to be an ECE Level II. Learn more and apply for the August 28 program start date at rrc.ca.

Read the full release to learn how the $180 million federal-provincial investment will support public school and post-secondary child-care expansion projects across Manitoba, here.