The Provincial Government is creating a mentoring program focused on quality and inclusion to support early childhood educators and child care services in Newfoundland and Labrador. This measure is part of continued work that focuses on child and family well-being at early learning and child care services.
Funding will be provided to child care centres for 15 Quality, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Coordinators to be hired throughout the province. Each coordinator will have a background in psychology, early childhood education, education, or a closely related field. The coordinator will be an employee of a specific child care service and will provide on-site support to improve quality and inclusion within the child care centre. The coordinators will be responsible for supporting early childhood educators to ensure they are responsive to the individual needs of each child.
The Department of Education will share a call for expressions of interest for child care centres to take part in this program participating in the Operating Grant Program. There will be an ongoing evaluation by the department to assess effectiveness and inform future planning.
Through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, an investment of $516,000 will be used to fund the Quality, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Coordinators.
This initiative is a part of the $306 million invested through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This agreement is increasing access to regulated child care through the creation of 5,895 spaces by 2025-26, as well as improving affordability, inclusivity and the quality of early learning and child care programming in Newfoundland and Labrador. To date, there are over 10,100 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10 a day or less in the province.
Quotes
“It is critical that all children and their families have access to quality-inclusive early learning and child care environments. These Quality, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Coordinators will ensure child care services are supported to integrate evidence-based early learning practices to improve outcomes for children.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education
“Inclusivity cannot be an afterthought. A high-quality, affordable, and flexible child care system must also be inclusive to meet the diverse needs of every child. The Quality, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility coordinators will play a crucial role in ensuring that all children in Newfoundland and Labrador have the best possible start in life, while also supporting our incredible early childhood educators.”
Honourable Jenna Sudds
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
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BACKGROUNDER
Quality, Inclusivity, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility Coordinator Initiative
A quality, inclusivity, diversity and accessibility coordinator will enhance quality and inclusion at child care services through:
- Reducing some of the administrative burden experiences by child care operators;
- Reducing burnout of early childhood educators by providing direct support and training;
- Supporting initiatives by ensuring there is a dedicated person to oversee that goals, objectives, and recommendations are embedded in every homeroom of a child car centre;
- Supporting the child care centre, community and family engagement;
- Assisting in building early childhood educator capacity in developing appropriate programs and supports for children;
- Supporting the assessment of a child’s development; and,
- Ensuring earlier referrals to appropriate early intervention support and services based on identified needs.