11 New Parenting Centres for Toronto

Boards to add 34 parenting help centres
 
May 02, 2008 Toronto Star  Kristin Rushowy

School boards across Ontario will open 34 new parenting and family literacy centres this fall – half of them in Greater Toronto – after a $2 million boost in funding from the provincial government.

The centres, which began in Toronto more than 30 years ago, are expanding across the province and yesterday's announcement means there will be 123 by this September.

"We are quite excited to be asked by the ministry to be a part of the pilot project," said Bill Tucker, director of education for the Thames Valley District School Board, set to open its first four centres this fall.

"We can see the immediate benefits to kids, and families, and staff."

Staffed by early childhood experts, centres are free to children to age 6, their parents and caregivers.

Ruth Sischy, Toronto public board's early years manager, says the board will expand to 69 centres from 58, located around the city.

Toronto's Catholic board will open five; Peel's public board one.

For a list of centres, go to www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/parents/pflc.html.