In recognition of the vital role of early childhood educators in providing high-quality early learning environments for children, the Provincial Government is introducing the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education.
The Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, announced the awards and provided an update on child care projects in development today. Minister Davis was joined by Lori Chaulk, Associate Dean of Early Childhood Education at College of the North Atlantic.
The Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education will be presented to early childhood educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the early learning field. Recipients will be chosen based on their contributions to the well-being of children in their care and commitment to fostering high-quality and inclusive early learning environments. The full nomination package and criteria will be released this fall.
The announcement was held at St. Matthew’s School, a future site for a pre-kindergarten program. Once operational, the pre-kindergarten program will offer 20 early learning and child care spaces at $10 a day for families in the area. This is one of 25 early learning and child care projects representing 574 child care spaces newly approved for development in the Avalon and Central regions.
A total of 1,657 child care spaces have been recently announced and are in development throughout the province. A complete list of all projects in development 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.
Quotes
“Early childhood educators are the heart of our child care system, and their leadership and compassion shape the foundation of lifelong learning for children throughout our province. Through the Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education, we are proud to honour those who create inclusive, high-quality environments where children thrive. At the same time, we remain committed to expanding access to affordable child care, approving 25 new projects in the Avalon and Central regions that will create 574 $10-a-day spaces. These investments reflect our government’s dedication to supporting families and strengthening early learning across Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Honourable Bernard Davis
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“Early childhood educators are the foundation of high-quality early learning and child care environments that shape children’s futures from the very beginning. The Minister’s Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education is a meaningful recognition of the dedication, leadership, and care these professionals bring to their work every day. I’m proud to support this initiative and applaud the Provincial Government for celebrating the vital contributions of our early learning and child care workforce.”
Lori Chaulk
Associate Dean of Early Childhood Education, College of the North Atlantic
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Learn more
Provincial Government Provides Update on Child Care Space Creation for the Western Region
Provincial Government Provides Update on Child Care Space Creation for the Avalon Region
Provincial Government Provides Update on Child Care Space Creation for the Central Region
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BACKGROUNDER
Projects Approved for Development – Avalon and Central Regions
| Project | Community | Region | Spaces | Timeline for Completion |
| Tricentia Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Arnold’s Cove | Avalon | 15 |
To be determined |
| Tricon Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Bay de Verde | Avalon | 15 | |
| St. Augustine’s Elementary (Pre-kindergarten) | Bell Island | Avalon | 20 | |
| Immaculate Conception Primary (Pre-kindergarten) | Colliers | Avalon | 15 | |
| Acreman Elementary (Pre-kindergarten) | Green’s Harbour | Avalon | 15 | |
| St. Francis School (Pre-kindergarten) | Harbour Grace | Avalon | 20 | |
| St. Francis of Assisi (Pre-kindergarten) | Outer Cove | Avalon | 15 | |
| Dream with Us | Portugal Cove-St. Philip’s | Avalon | 94 | |
| Mulberry Bush | St. John’s | Avalon | 46 | |
| St. John Bosco (Pre-kindergarten) | St. John’s | Avalon | 14 | |
| St. Matthew’s School (Pre-kindergarten) | St. John’s | Avalon | 20 | |
| St. Peter’s Elementary (Pre-kindergarten) | Upper Island Cove | Avalon | 15 | |
| Whitbourne Elementary (Pre-kindergarten) | Whitbourne | Avalon | 15 | |
| Greenwood Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Campbellton | Central | 15 | |
| Phoenix Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Carmanville | Central | 15 | |
| CNA Clarenville | Clarenville | Central | 45 | |
| Riverside Elementary (Pre-kindergarten) | Clarenville | Central | 20 | |
| William Mercer Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Dover | Central | 15 | |
| Smallwood Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Gambo | Central | 15 | |
| CNA Gander | Gander | Central | 45 | |
| Bay d’Espoir Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | St. Alban’s | Central | 20 | |
| New World Island Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Summerford | Central | 15 | |
| Twillingate Island Elementary (Pre-kindergarten) | Twillingate | Central | 15 | |
| Pearson Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Wesleyville | Central | 20 | |
| Riverwood Academy (Pre-kindergarten) | Wing’s Point | Central | 15 | |
| Total | 574** | |||
Previously Approved Projects for Development – Avalon, Central and Western Regions
Avalon
| Project | Community | Spaces | Timeline for Completion |
| Family child care* | Mount Pearl | 6 |
To be determined |
| Family child care* | Mount Pearl | 6 | |
| Family child care* | Conception Bay South | 6 | |
| Family child care* | St. John’s | 6 | |
| Family child care* | Coley’s Point | 6 | |
| Play and Learn Too | Bay Roberts | 28 | |
| Bright and Early Learning Daycare | Whiteway | 41 | |
| Carbonear Academy (Pre-Kindergarten) | Carbonear | 15 | |
| Dream with Us | Conception Bay South | 56 | |
| Child Matters | Conception Bay South | 53 | |
| St. Edward’s School (Pre-Kindergarten) | Conception Bay South | 20 | |
| St. George’s Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Conception Bay South | 15 | |
| Woodland Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Dildo | 13 | |
| Goulds Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Goulds | 18 | |
| Morris Academy (Pre-Kindergarten) | Mount Pearl | 17 | |
| All Hallows Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | North River | 15 | |
| Holy Family Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Paradise | 18 | |
| Octagon Pond Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Paradise | 20 | |
| Cape St. Francis Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Pouch Cove | 19 | |
| Holy Redeemer Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Spaniard’s Bay | 14 | |
| Learn Star – Bishop Abraham | St. John’s | 30 | |
| Treehouse 2 | St. John’s | 118 | |
| Hazelwood Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | St. John’s | 17 | |
| Vanier Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | St. John’s | 20 | |
| École Rocher du Nord (Pre-Kindergarten) | St. John’s | 20 | |
| École des Grands-Vents (Pre-Kindergarten) | St. John’s | 20 | |
| St. Bernard’s Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Witless Bay | 14 | |
| Total | 631** | ||
Central
| Project | Community | Spaces | Timeline for Completion |
| Bright Beginnings | Bishop’s Falls | 14 |
To be determined |
| Discovery Collegiate |
Bonavista |
49 |
|
| Memorial Academy (Pre-Kindergarten) |
Botwood |
18 |
|
| Family Child Care* | Lewisporte | 6 | |
| Anthony Paddon Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten |
Musgravetown |
20 |
|
| Total | 107** | ||
Western
| Project | Community | Spaces | Timeline for Completion |
| Copper Ridge Academy (Pre-Kindergarten) | Baie Verte | 17 | 1-3 months
|
| Burgeo Academy (Pre-Kindergarten) | Burgeo | 20 | |
| Fédération des parents francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador | Cape St. George | 10 | |
| Lourdes Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Lourdes | 20 | |
| Fédération des parents francophones de Terre-Neuve et du Labrador | Mainland | 10 | |
| Meadow View Childcare | Pasadena | 67 | |
| French Shore Academy (Pre-Kindergarten) | Port Saunders | 20 | |
| Indian River Academy | Springdale | 20 | |
| Sacred Heart Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Corner Brook | 20 | To be determined |
| Pasadena Elementary (Pre-Kindergarten) | Pasadena | 15 | |
| Dorset Collegiate (Pre-Kindergarten) | Pilley’s Island | 15 | |
| M’ikMaw Cultural Foundation | Stephenville | 24 | |
| Bayview Academy (Pre-Kindergarten) | St. George’s | 20 | |
| St. George’s Indian Band | St. George’s | 35 | |
| Three Rivers Mi’Kmaq Band | Robinson’s | 32 | |
| Total | 345** | ||
*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.
**Total number of spaces created upon project completion may differ.
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.