Government announces new program to enhance quality child care

NLIS 2
January 9, 2006
(Health and Community Services)

In keeping with government�s commitment to provide quality child care services in the province, Health and Community Services Minister John Ottenheimer today announced the commencement of a new voluntary program for child care centres, Enhancing Quality and Inclusive Practices (EQuIP).

"Well designed early learning and child care programs provide the children of Newfoundland and Labrador with a healthy start in life and are correlated with positive outcomes for their future," said Minister Ottenheimer. "Accessible, quality child care services are a priority of government and the EQuIP program is evidence of our commitment to ensure the well being of children in our province."

Research has shown that stimulating, educationally-rich environments during the early years of a child�s life are a key determinant for healthy development, consistent and sustainable learning, and increased productivity throughout their lives. The EQuIP program will assess and enhance the quality and inclusive practices of child care centres by promoting early learning opportunities and increasing professional support services.

EQuIP is a voluntary, 12-month, on-site consultation program for child care centres. The first phase involves an assessment and consultation with a consultant, coupled with support in the form of professional development and advice for staff. The second phase is a maintenance period where staff implement their own collaborative plan.

Government invested $200,000 in the EQuIP program which will be implemented across the province in a number of phases. During the first phase, commencing this month, approximately 30 child care centres, with full time programs for children between the ages of 2 � to five years of age, will be eligible for participation. The long-term goal is to have participation from all eligible centres in the province. Those centres which complete the EQuIP program will receive a certificate from the program to be displayed in the centre.

Today�s announcement builds on government�s commitment to advance its plan to improve quality in regulated early learning and child care settings. To better meet the needs of children in our province, government made several strategic initiatives in early learning and child care over the past year including:

An investment of $1.6 million this year and a total of $16.8 million of federal funding over five years as part of the provincial and territorial framework for early learning and child care aimed at improving access to affordable, quality, regulated early learning and child care services for children under six years.

The announcement of an agreement-in-principle between the federal government and Newfoundland and Labrador to provide early learning and child care services that focus on quality, affordability and accessibility.

The establishment of the Ministerial Council on Early Childhood Learning, in February 2005 to focus on the learning needs of children and their families.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-1377, 685-1741

2006 01 09 12:00 p.m.

All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement