Waterloo Region is set to enhance its child care offerings with the introduction of over 175 new licensed child care spaces through two modular centres in Kitchener. These centres will be constructed by Modulable, a company based in Quebec, and will be located at Smithson Public School and Howard Robertson Public School. The Smithson centre will be operated by RisingOaks Early Learning Ontario, while the Howard Robertson centre, which will serve as the region's second Indigenous-led child care centre, will be managed by The Healing of the Seven Generations. Renata Richards, the executive director for the Ga’nigǫhi:yo Indigenous Child Care and Family Centre, expressed pride in being selected for this initiative, highlighting its potential to reconnect families with their culture. Each centre will offer 88 spaces, funded through the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement. Registration for these spaces will open on OneList later this year, with the centres anticipated to begin operations in December. Regional Chair Karen Redman emphasized the importance of affordable and accessible child care in priority communities, describing this project as a practical investment for families.