The Provincial Government is seeking Expressions of Interest from not-for-profit organizations to operate one or more of 12 site locations for pre-kindergarten programming in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Pre-kindergarten locations have opened in phases throughout the province and will result in the creation of more than 3,000 regulated child care spaces in communities by March 31, 2026. There are currently 34 pre-kindergarten program locations operating in the province, representing close to 600 early learning and child care spaces.
The pre-kindergarten program runs full-time, including during the summer months and during traditional after school hours. The program operates in a school setting to support children’s transition to school. As a regulated full-day early learning program under the Operating Grant Program, participating families will pay $10 per day.
Additionally, the Child Care Subsidy Program is available to assist families with the cost of child care fees at regulated child care services
Expressions of interest are being accepted until 5:00 p.m. Newfoundland Time on Wednesday, October 30, 2024. information on the pre-kindergarten program and the expression of interest is available by visiting gov.nl.ca/education/pre-kindergarten/.
This initiative is a part of several actions under the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to providing high-quality, affordable child care that is accessible throughout the province. There are over 10,100 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less in the province, with a further 2,100 spaces in development.
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“I am excited to announce the release of the expression of interest process for the development of the next phase of the pre-kindergarten program. Supporting families and their children during the early learning years is crucial for their development. We are listening to families and their need for access to early learning and child care services. I encourage all not-for-profit organizations to submit their interest for this next stage, and to be a part of this important program for children in our province.”
Honourable John Haggie
Alternate Minister of Education
-30-
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BACKGROUNDER
Federal-Provincial Early Learning and Child Care Action Plan
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Action Plan is increasing access to regulated child care through the creation of approximately 6,000 spaces by 2025-26, as well as improving affordability, inclusivity and the quality of early learning and child care programming in Newfoundland and Labrador. This plan is made possible by federal investments in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. These include $306 million for the 2021-22 to 2025-26 Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, a one-time investment of nearly $6.5 million in 2021-22 to support the early childhood workforce, as well as over $34 million for the 2021-22 to 2024-25 Early Learning and Child Care Extension Agreement.