Toronto/CMEDIA: The City of Toronto’s reportedly the largest child care centre and first net zero building, located at 1234 Weston Rd., the Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre’s launch was officially celebrated by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Frances Nunziata (York South-Weston).
“The new Mount Dennis Child Care Centre…is the largest child care centre operated by the City allowing more families access to high-quality, affordable care, close to home… also Toronto’s first net zero facility, proving that we can grow our child care system while reducing emissions.” Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow has said.
Continuing to welcome families, the new centre will help meet the growing demand for high-quality, affordable child care in Toronto.
The Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre provides space for 98 children, including two infant rooms, three toddler rooms and three preschool rooms.
Families will benefit from the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program which provides affordable child care with fees set at $22 per day in 2025.
Eligible families may apply to receive a fee subsidy.
Toronto’s growing neighbourhoods
Representing the City’s ongoing investment, the opening of Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre expands access to child care and building sustainable, modern public facilities.
Currently operating 39 child care centres, the City continues to plan, build and open new centres across the city.
More information on child care centres operating throughout the Toronto can be found on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/telccs-centre-locations.
Allso making major investments, the City is also creating new recreation and civic facilities across Toronto including six new recreation centres, the new St. Lawrence Market North building and the Etobicoke Civic Centre which is currently under construction.
Climate action
Approximately 55 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions in Toronto are accounted for by the buildings. The opening of the Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre demonstrates the City’s leadership in climate action and supports Toronto’s commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2040.
Being fully electrified, the new facility is not connected to natural gas.
Its net zero design includes advanced energy-efficient features such as:
Super-insulated walls and roof, using more than the average amount of insulation to significantly reduce heat loss and gain, Triple-glazed windows with three panes of glass to allow better energy efficiency, Airtight construction reducing air leaks to keep the building temperature and energy use consistent, Geothermal heat pump system which uses underground temperature to heat and cool the building, 264 solar panels located on the roof, which generate electricity, preheat domestic hot water and recharge the geo-exchange field, and Energy recovery ventilators that improve indoor air quality by continuously exchanging stale indoor air with fresh outdoor air
Enabling the building to produce as much energy as it consumes each year, these features significantly reduce its carbon footprint and provide a healthy, comfortable environment for children and staff.
More information about the Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre is available on the City’s website: www.toronto.ca/mount-dennis-early-learning-child-care-centre.
