Daycare closure draws concern

By Marina Kydd 

More than 100 families in Peterborough are facing uncertainty after Northview Day Care & Nursery School was told it must vacate its longtime space by July 31. The move would eliminate more than 200 childcare spaces in a system already struggling with long waitlists. 

The childcare centre, which operates out of Northview Community Church, has served local families for more than four decades. Its potential closure comes as parents report increasing difficulty securing childcare in the city, with thousands of children on waitlists. 

In December 2024, the 25-year rental agreement between Northview Community Church and Northview DaySchool ended. The daycare had operated in the building for 43 years. Since the lease expired, church leadership and daycare administration have been in negotiations over new terms. 

In a message to parents, Northview DaySchool executive director Katherina Boshart said the organization was “surprised” to receive notice requiring them to fully vacate the premises by July 31. She said she had previously requested a one- to two-year transition period during discussions with church leadership, but that request was not granted. 

Boshart said the centre is working with city officials to secure a temporary location and is in discussions regarding a potential new site in Peterborough. She told families the daycare remains hopeful about establishing a future location that will continue to serve children and families in the city.

Northview Community Church says the situation follows the end of the long-term lease agreement. In a written statement, the church said the agreement did not include rent increases or contributions toward utilities or snow removal over its duration. 

“The cost to everything has increased over 15 years,” the church said, adding that both the church and daycare now require additional space. 

The church also said the daycare opted to continue on a month-to-month basis rather than agree to new lease terms. It further stated that it did not receive a response to an offer, made through its district office, to extend occupancy until Dec. 31, 2026. 

Northview DaySchool did not respond to follow-up questions by Peterborough Weekly’s print deadline. In its message to parents, the centre outlined ongoing efforts to secure a temporary site and said it is committed to keeping families informed as the situation develops. 

For families, the announcement has triggered significant concern about stability, work arrangements, and access to childcare. 

Andrew Davis, a parent with two children enrolled at the centre, said the daycare has been central to his family’s routine. 

“The care that every single one of the daycare workers has shown my daughters has been nothing short of incredible,” Davis said. “My girls love going to ‘school’ to see their friends and interact with the teachers.” 

He said parents are now grappling with uncertainty as the deadline approaches. “It was a mixture of sadness, fear, frustration and worry,” he said. “There were so many unknowns initially that it was a very scary situation for most families.” 

Davis said some families are preparing for the possibility of unpaid leave or informal childcare arrangements if they are unable to secure alternative spaces. 

“Removing 226 spaces from Peterborough is a devastating blow,” he said. 

In response, a group of parents has formed an advocacy effort calling for more time to allow parents to make alternative childcare arrangements. A petition addressed to the church’s board of directors has gathered more than 1,300 signatures. 

The petition calls for an extension to allow for what it describes as a “safe, orderly, and child-centred transition,” arguing that relocating a licensed childcare centre serving more than 200 children cannot be completed within the current timeline without significant disruption. 

Davis said parents are hoping for additional time, ideally up to a year, to allow for a smoother relocation process. He also raised concerns about communication during the process and questioned aspects of the proposed extension discussed by the church, though those claims have not been independently verified. 

Online, other parents have echoed concerns about financial strain and the lack of available childcare options in the city, pointing to long waitlists and the high cost of private care. 

Despite the uncertainty, Davis said parents remain focused on ensuring stability for their children. 

“A safe and planned transition would be the best result for these kids,” he said.