A new child care centre is coming to Peterborough — one that will bring children and older adults together in the same space.
The not-for-profit Compass Early Learning & Care (Compass ELC) recently announced it will be opening a child care centre in partnership with St. Joseph’s at Fleming.
The centre will be located in the same building as St. Joseph’s at Fleming’s long-term care home on Brealey Drive, and the program will include spots for 10 infants (0-18 months), 15 toddlers (18-30 months), and 24 preschool children (30 months to six years).
“Bringing child care to our community in an innovative and collaboration method that is backed by research and led by community partnerships” makes this an exciting endeavour Compass ELC, the organization’s communications/WAGE coordinator Simal Iftikhar told kawarthaNOW.
“This is a first for Compass and we are grateful to be able to have the capacity to bring this initiative forward with some amazing partners. We are excited to see what other possibilities are in the future.”
Iftikhar said Compass ELC’s greatest hope is “to fill the gap in much-needed child care in our community and simultaneously foster relationships between both age groups to promote positive interaction, cognitive benefits, social skills, and a sense of community.”
Intergenerational benefits include increased self-esteem and feelings of well-being for older and younger participants, a media release noted. These programs help build friendships between older and younger people, making communities stronger according to the American National Resource Centre for Engaging Older Adults.
The City of Peterborough will be a funding partner, as well as the provincial and federal governments through the Canada-Wide Early Learning & Child Care partnership.
“We are thrilled to open this new program,” said Cindy King, manager of children’s services for the City of Peterborough, in a statement. “It’s a beautiful way to build community, promote empathy, and enrich the lives of all involved.”
Renovations will kick off shortly and are expected to wind down by the end of the year, with the program opening in early 2026, according to the release.
“We are very happy to be partnering with Compass on this unique opportunity,” said Matthew Boyles, director of corporate services for St. Joseph’s at Fleming.
“The board has consistently endorsed this development at every step along the planning process. We look forward to sharing our space and seeing the benefits of intergenerational existence at St. Joseph’s at Fleming.”
Compass ELC is described as a “passionate” and “caring” network of more than 700 employees and 80 home child care providers, together serving more than 5,000 families in Peterborough County, City of Kawartha Lakes, Haliburton, Durham, and Northumberland counties.
Compass ELC stated it understands the vital need for child care expansion, as the community has long waiting lists.
“As a not-for-profit organization enrolled in the Canada Wide Early Learning & Child Care $10/day child care plan, we are excited to expand access within the city of Peterborough and are particularly excited about the intergenerational opportunities at this location,” said Compass ELC co-CEO Ashley Collins.
Families looking to get on the waitlist can now add “CELC – St. Joseph’s at Fleming” to their OneHSN profile at onehsn.com/peterborough.
