The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) have come together to call on the province to invest in building childcare spaces in schools, especially in high-needs areas. This model is smart. It puts childcare where kids already are, in a building that's already there. It’s efficient, it’s cost-effective, and it supports working families. But this government cancelled previously approved funding for these spaces including at Pope Francis School.
When Carmelite Day Nursery closed, nearly 200 families lost access to childcare. The community came together and identified a solution at Pope Francis School — one that would serve 49 children and strengthen the neighbourhood. The only thing missing is provincial investment.
I have written a public sign on letter to Minister of Education Paul Calandra urging him to invest in 3,000 childcare spaces across Toronto, including funding the expansion of a childcare centre at Pope Francis School. My goal is to deliver this letter to him in on April 15th. In order for this letter to have the most impact, I am requesting that individuals and associations publicly sign their name to this letter as well. If you would like to sign on please fill in the form below by April 14th.
Minister of Education Paul Calandra
Ministry of Education
5th Floor, 438 University Ave.
Toronto, ON M7A 1N3
April 9, 2025
Re: Urgent Funding Needed for Pope Francis Childcare Centre and Expansion of TDSB and TCDSB Childcare Spaces
Dear Minister Calandra,
I am writing to urge the Ministry of Education to invest in urgently needed childcare spaces across Toronto, including funding the expansion of a childcare centre at Pope Francis School, located at 319 Ossington Avenue.
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) and the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) have been calling for capital funding to establish over 3,000 new childcare spaces to meet growing demand in neighbourhoods across the city. As part of this expansion, Pope Francis School is requesting $794,000 to renovate three rooms to accommodate 49 more children.
Back in 2017, the Ministry of Education approved a list of Toronto School-Based childcare projects which included Pope Francis. Then on June 21, 2019, the provincial government cancelled the project, even though the program was shovel ready, with one week to go until construction.
The need for more daycare spaces in the area since has only heightened in urgency, following the closure of the beloved Carmelite Day Nursery in July 2024. When Carmelite closed, nearly 200 families in the neighbourhood were left without access to childcare.
The daycare at Pope Francis is currently operated by North York Little Prints Daycare (NYLPD), a non-profit provider. NYLPD secured a licence at Pope Francis School in September 2024 and is already running 56 spaces for Kindergarten and School-Age children. The daycare has the capacity to double. Pope Francis School is under-enrolled and has additional space that can be used to meet this demand.
I urge the Ministry to fund the $794,000 capital request to complete renovations at Pope Francis School, as part of the broader call from the TDSB and TCDSB for 3,000 additional childcare spaces. Families are counting on you to act quickly and make these vital investments in our children’s future.
I’m requesting a meeting to discuss this issue further, and I look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Jessica Bell
MPP for University-Rosedale