The Provincial Government is seeking expressions of interest from not-for-profit organizations to develop, coordinate and implement pre-kindergarten programs.

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is seeking potential proponents interested in submitting a licensing package by February 14, 2025, as part of the continued expansion of pre-kindergarten programming in the province.

Pre-kindergarten locations are continuously opening throughout the province. There are currently 35 Pre-Kindergarten Program locations operating, representing more than 600 early learning and child care spaces. There are an additional 29 sites currently in development. In October, the Provincial Government sought expressions of interest for 12 Pre-Kindergarten Program locations. A list of the successful proponents is listed in the backgrounder below.

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 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. NT on Friday, February 14, 2025. 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 11,200 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less in the province, with a further 3,000 spaces in development.

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“Our support for child care opportunities continues as we expand space availability for families in our province. I am thrilled to announce this next phase for an expression of interest for pre-kindergarten programs. I am confident there are not-for-profit organizations that are willing to develop and start their own pre-kindergarten programs for the Department of Education. They will be an integral part of delivering early learning for our young learners.”
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

“This expression of interest is another step to creating more affordable child care spots and reducing waitlists across the province. Not-for-profit operators interested in developing and starting pre-kindergarten programs are strongly encouraged to apply quickly. Together, we can make $10 a reality for all parents in Newfoundland and Labrador, while creating more good jobs in early learning education.”
Honourable Jenna Sudds
Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

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Learn more
Provincial Government Seeking Expressions of Interest for Next Phase of Pre-Kindergarten Program

Request for Proposals Issued for Second Phase of Pre-Kindergarten Pilot Program

$10-a-day Child Care Now a Reality for Families in Newfoundland and Labrador

Budget 2021: A Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Plan

BACKGROUNDER

Phase 3 Pre-Kindergarten Program Sites Awarded

School	Community	Organization Awarded
All Hallows Elementary	Clarke’s Beach	YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc.
Cape St. Francis Elementary	Pouch Cove	YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc.
Carbonear Academy	Carbonear	Trinity Conception Family Resource Centre
Copper Ridge Academy	Baie Verte	Baie Verte Peninsula Family Resource Program Inc.
Holy Redeemer Elementary	Spaniard’s Bay	Trinity Conception Family Resource Centre
Memorial Academy	Botwood	Exploits Valley Community Coalition
Morris Academy	Mount Pearl	YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc.
St. Bernard’s Elementary	Witless Bay	Kilbride to Ferryland Family Resource Coalition Inc.
St. George’s Elementary	Conception Bay South	YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc.
St. Lewis Academy	Labrador	YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc.
Woodland Elementary	Dildo	YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc.
Indian River Academy	Springdale	YMCA of Northeast Avalon Inc.

 

Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 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, $13.7 million over four years, with approximately $9.8 million from 2023-2024 through 2025-2026, under the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, as well as over $34 million for the 2021-22 to 2024-25 Early Learning and Child Care Extension Agreement.