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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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)

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

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. 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

10. 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)

11. 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

12. 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

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