The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, today announced details of five early learning and child care projects underway in the Central region. Minister Davis was joined by Derek Bennett, MHA Lewisporte-Twillingate, and Sue Langdon of the Exploits Valley Community Coalition.
These five projects in the Central region represent 107 child care spaces which will all operate at $10-a-day, ensuring that families can access affordable child care.
The announcement was made at Memorial Academy in Botwood, which will soon open a pre-kindergarten program. The pre-kindergarten program will be operated by the Exploits Valley Community Coalition and will offer 18 early learning and child care spaces at $10-a-day for families in the area.
A complete list of the five early learning and child care projects is available in the backgrounder below.
The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador continues its commitment to providing access to high-quality, affordable, and inclusive child care that meets the needs of families and service providers. The Provincial Government signed on to an extension of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The extended agreements will be in place until March 31, 2031, ensuring predictable and sustainable federal support for early learning and child care.
Currently, there are over 11,200 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less in the province.
No matter the child care option parents choose, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) provides direct, tax-free support, helping about 3.5 million families, including over six million children every year. While families can use the benefit however they need, for many it significantly reduces the burden of child care expenses – in some cases, cutting them entirely thanks to federal, provincial, and territorial investments to reduce child care fees in the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system.
Quotes
“We are continuing to grow the number of early learning and child care spaces available in the Central region. Our government understands how important it is for families to have access to high quality, affordable, and inclusive child care. The five projects announced today, along with other ongoing child care projects throughout the province, benefits families, the economy and the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“When we invest in future generations, we invest in the future of Canada. Children learn better when they are adequately supported, and that starts with access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care. The addition of 107 child care spaces will make a big difference for families across the Central region, from Bonavista to Lewisporte to Botwood, and will help them save thousands of dollars every year on child care costs. This means less pressure on families and more choice for parents.”
Honourable Patty Hajdu
Federal Minister of Jobs and Families and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Northern Ontario
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BACKGROUNDER
Early Learning and Child Care Space Creation Projects Update – Central Region
| Project | Community | Spaces |
| Bright Beginnings | Bishop’s Falls | 14 |
| Discovery Collegiate | Bonavista | 49 |
| Memorial Academy (Pre-Kindergarten) | Botwood | 18 |
| Family Child Care* | Lewisporte | 6 |
| Anthony Paddon Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Musgravetown | 20 |
| Total | 107 | |
*Family child care projects are operated by private individuals in their family home. Due to privacy requirements, family child care operators can not be identified until they have been licensed.
Waitlist Registration
Parents and guardians registered for MyGovNL’s Early Learning Gateway will be notified of updated child care space availability. The Early Learning Gateway connects regulated child care service providers with parents and guardians who need child care through a digital waitlist.