South Huron Schools to Reintroduce Before and After School Care

The Avon Maitland District School Board (AMDSB) has announced the return of before and after school care programs to three schools in South Huron. This decision comes after the programs were suspended due to staffing shortages among early childhood educators. AMDSB confirmed that a new provider is currently undergoing the licensing process to offer care at both Exeter Elementary and Bluewater Coast.

The previous care programs officially closed on September 26, 2023 at Exeter Elementary and Precious Blood School in Exeter. Additionally, preschool services at Bluewater Coast in Hensall ended on August 29, 2023. Following these closures, families whose children attended Bluewater Coast preschool were provided options for placement at the Relouw Early Childhood Learning Centre in Exeter.

Efforts to Address Staffing Shortages

The decision to close the programs was largely attributed to a lack of available qualified staff. AMDSB is actively working to resolve these staffing challenges. In a recent statement, the board expressed its commitment to expediting the re-establishment of these essential services.

“We acknowledge how challenging this situation has been for many of our families and we are doing everything possible to expedite this process. We appreciate your continued patience and understanding,” the board stated.

To facilitate a quick return to operations, AMDSB plans to advertise job openings for childcare staff in the near future. The board is encouraging the community to share these postings to attract potential candidates.

Community members and parents have expressed relief at the announcement of the program’s return, highlighting the importance of before and after school care for working families. The reintroduction of these programs is expected to alleviate some of the pressures that families have faced since the closures.

As the board works through the licensing process and recruitment, parents are hopeful for a swift resolution that will allow their children to benefit from the before and after school care services once again.