(L-R) Theresa McFadden, Childcare Services Supervisor, CLASS Shared School Services; Sue Jennings, Ridge K.I.D.S. Daycare Director; and Lisa Demers, Superintendent of Education, St. Clair Catholic District School Board. (Photo courtesy of SCCDSB)

A local school board has selected the childcare provider for its newest school in Chatham.

The St. Clair Catholic District School Board has announced that Ridge K.I.D.S. Daycare will provide childcare services at the new St. Teresa of Calcutta Catholic School, which is in the final stages of construction on Tweedsmuir Avenue West.

Ridge K.I.D.S. will provide a fully licensed childcare program for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as an extended day program for Kindergarten children. The daycare program will have 49 childcare spaces.

A before and after-school program will also be made available for students in Grade 1 and higher.

In addition to St. Teresa of Calcutta, Ridge K.I.D.S. also provides its services at St. Michael Catholic School in Ridgetown and at St. Angela Merici Catholic School in Chatham.

The school board said construction of St. Teresa of Calcutta is on track to be completed by the end of March. Furniture and equipment will be moved into the 564-pupil school during the summer. The school will open in September 2024 to students and staff served by the current St. Ursula and Georges P. Vanier Catholic schools.