The Manitoba government has announced the locations of hundreds of new licensed child-care spaces.

The province announced the location of new child-care facilities that will hold 780 new spaces.

"We're pleased to announce these new spaces will be created through capital projects based at schools and in communities across Manitoba," said Families Minister Scott Fielding in a release. "More licensed spaces in Manitoba will help reduce wait times for families, improve access to quality early learning and child-care services, and meet the needs of Manitoba's diverse communities."

The Canada-Manitoba Early Learning and Child Care Agreement was announced in February and will support 1,400 new and newly funded child-care spaces. The announcement also included funding for 621 existing licensed spaces at 63 child-care centres around Manitoba.

Funding will be directed to 20 major capital projects in communities where access to affordable child care has been difficult. Ten projects are being developed in schools or on school property, and another ten in active community locations. Minister Fielding believes these centres will serve as a community hub.

Seven of the 20 projects are located in Winnipeg. Other towns that will receive support are Rivers, Portage la Prairie, St. Georges, Virden, Bowsman, La Broquerie, Stony Mountain, Roblin, Thompson, Minnedosa, Gladstone, Morden and Notre Dame des Lourdres.

"The announcement of these new spaces is very positive," said Jodie Kehl, executive director of the Manitoba Child Care Association in a statement. "Child care in or close to schools offers convenient and accessible options for families and we believe children and families benefit directly from these successful relationships."

The agreement between Canada and Manitoba will give $47 million over three years to Manitoba for early learning and child-care systems.