Toronto opens largest City-run child care centre and first net-zero municipal building in Mount Dennis
New 19,000 sq. ft. early learning centre expands access to affordable child care while advancing Toronto’s climate goals
TORONTO — The City of Toronto has officially launched the Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre, marking a major milestone as the City’s largest child care centre and first net-zero building.
Mayor Olivia Chow and Councillor Frances Nunziata (York South–Weston) celebrated the opening of the state-of-the-art facility at 1234 Weston Rd., which will help meet growing demand for high-quality, affordable child care and push forward the City’s climate goals with a fully electrified, zero-emissions design.
City of Toronto officially celebrates largest City-run child care centre and first net zero building.
Read the news release here: https://t.co/RmMHfQTX7s pic.twitter.com/epzrO2qkXm
— City of Toronto 🇨🇦 (@cityoftoronto) November 17, 2025
A major expansion of child care access
At 19,000 square feet, the new centre provides 98 child care spaces, including:
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Two infant rooms
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Three toddler rooms
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Three preschool rooms
Families will benefit from the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) program, with fees set at $22 per day in 2025. Eligible residents may also apply for additional fee subsidies.
Mayor Chow highlighted the importance of investing in services close to home. “The new Mount Dennis Child Care Centre shows what is possible when we put families and climate action at the centre of our work,” she said. “It is the largest child care centre operated by the City, allowing more families access to high-quality, affordable care. This building is also Toronto’s first net-zero facility, proving that we can grow our child care system while reducing emissions.”
Meeting the needs of a growing community
The Mount Dennis neighbourhood continues to grow rapidly, with new transit, housing, and community investments underway. Councillor Nunziata emphasized the centre’s role in supporting local families:
“This new centre is a fantastic addition to our neighbourhood – it supports local families, strengthens our community and shows how the City is leading on climate action,” she said.
The City now operates 39 child care centres, with more planned or under construction as part of Toronto’s long-term strategy to support families in rapidly developing neighbourhoods. The facility joins other major civic investments, including six new recreation centres, the new St. Lawrence Market North, and the in-progress Etobicoke Civic Centre.
Toronto’s first net-zero municipal building
The Mount Dennis centre is the first City-owned building designed to operate at net-zero emissions, advancing Toronto’s goal of reaching net zero by 2040.
Buildings generate roughly 55% of Toronto’s citywide greenhouse gas emissions. To reduce that footprint, the centre includes:
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Super-insulated walls and roof
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Triple-glazed windows
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Airtight building envelope
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Geothermal heat pump system for heating and cooling
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264 rooftop solar panels for on-site renewable energy
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Energy recovery ventilators to improve indoor air quality
The combination of electrification, advanced insulation, and renewable energy allows the facility to produce as much energy as it consumes annually, dramatically reducing operational emissions while providing a healthier indoor environment for children and staff.
More information
Residents can learn more about the new Mount Dennis Early Learning and Child Care Centre at:
www.toronto.ca/mount-dennis-early-learning-child-care-centre
A full list of Toronto-operated child care centres is available at:
www.toronto.ca/telccs-centre-locations
SOURCE: City of Toronto News Release (November 17, 2025)
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