Future of Riverside Park Nursery School Presentation for the Riverside Churches of Ottawa ~ Long Term Planning Committee November 29, 2016

Background on RPNS High quality morning preschool providing educational and child care services in Ottawa’s River Ward for families with children aged 18 months – 5 years Not-for-profit organization with charitable status operated by a Board of Directors and staffed by experienced and qualified registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) Long time history (45 years) within the Riverside Churches of Ottawa Fully inclusive,integrated program and offering dynamic, current pedagogy: French Introduction classes; Ontario’s ’How Does Learning Happen’ curriculum; Kindermusik; Forest School

Rationale for new building Current space does not meet the Child Care & Early Years Act standards Community demand for full day child care in River Ward backed up with City of Ottawa child care waitlist statisitics Closures of St. Elias Centre and Tupper Tots has resulted in no full time licensed child care centres in Ward 17

Rationale for staying on Riverside Churches of Ottawa property Continue building on the community ties developed at this location Continue long historical relationship established with the Riverside Churches of Ottawa Opportunity to provide much needed sustainable full time child care in the River Ward Continue to use the existing play yard Located next to City of Ottawa greenspaces provides for natural areas to implement a Forest & Nature School pedagogy

Benefits for Riverside Churches Opportunities to hold church functions during weekday mornings (funerals etc.) Use of kitchen and female washroom during weekday mornings Rental income for rooms 6, 7 & 8 weekday mornings Less wear and tear on rooms Water, hydro, maintenance cost savings Still maintain rental income from RPNS (for land lease)

Possible location of building 3191 Riverside is zoned I1A ~Minor Institutional Zone permits day care centres

Example of a modular child care facility– 3500 sq Example of a modular child care facility– 3500 sq. ft to accomodate 50 children Photos courtesy of NRB Inc.

Tasks completed to date Research on need for full time child care in River Ward Research on new and used modular costs Meetings with Riley Brockington, Counsellor of River Ward for community support Business Plan and Operational Budget scenarios Hiring a Project Management Consultant to prepare a development feasibility study (to be completed by mid December 2016)

Tasks completed continued… Request and approval from the Riverside Churches of Ottawa for a 15 year term lease for new building Meetings with church to start lease agreement negotiations Fundraising activities to acquire sufficient funds for project start up costs and new building down payment Meetings with RBC’s Non-Profit Sector manager for confirmation of project financing

Task completed continued… Research and proposal submissions to City of Ottawa and Province of Ontario for funding Visiting similar projects in Ottawa area for feedback and knowledge (Beacon Hill Learning Centre)

To Do Tasks Upon review of Project Manager’s feasibility study, determine size and scope of project to match budget Continue lease negotiations with Riverside Churches of Ottawa fine tuning details Continue with fundraising initiatives and funding opportunities

Next steps Propose that a joint working group between the Riverside Churches of Ottawa and RPNS be established to discuss and make recommendations to their respective parties regarding the details of a land lease Cost of land lease and other lease details finalized in order to update operational budget scenarios and financing requirements Establish a time line with Riverside Churches of Ottawa

Thank You! Riverside Churches of Ottawa’s time, support and consideration of our new building project is very much appreciated!