Minister Proclaims Early Childhood Educators’ Week

The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, gathered with representatives from the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador earlier this week to proclaim May 29 –June 4 Early Childhood Educators’ Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

“Early Childhood Educators’ Week is an opportunity to acknowledge the great work being done by early childhood educators throughout Newfoundland and Labrador,” says Minister Johnson. “There is nothing more precious than our province’s children, and early childhood educators play a vital role in fostering their healthy development during what is considered to be some of their most critical years for learning. I would like to sincerely thank all of these professionals for the important work they do and for their tireless dedication and commitment to our province’s children.”

There are currently 1,655 early childhood educators certified in Newfoundland and Labrador. These professionals work in a variety of settings such as regulated child care centres, family child care homes, and community programs working with children and families.

“The department is fully committed to attracting and retaining early childhood educators,” added Minister Johnson. “We are in the process of developing a 10-year Early Learning and Child Care Strategy which will consider all aspects of child care including how to better support early childhood educators in Newfoundland and Labrador. This strategy will be released to the public later this year.”

The Provincial Government provides support to early childhood educators through educational supplements and bursaries, as well as by offering professional development opportunities.

“Accessible quality child care services require qualified early childhood educators,” said Mary Walsh, Chair, Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador. “Early childhood educators play an important role in the lives of children and we are pleased to join the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to acknowledge all early childhood educators in the province.”

Budget 2011 Standing Strong: For Prosperity. For Our Future. For Newfoundland and Labrador affirms the Provincial Government’s funding commitment to children, youth and families with an additional $9.2 million investment in the department, bringing the total investment to $33 million in just two years. The total budget for child care is $26.5 million.

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Photo #1: The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services meets with board members of the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL) and children from Daybreak Parent Child Centre to sign the proclamation for Early Childhood Educators’ Week. Front Row: (Left to right) Patrick Norman, Kimberly Dove, Minister Johnson, Ava Canning. Back Row: Helen Sinclair (Consultant, Child Care Services), Mary Walsh (Chair, AECENL), Leslie Hardy (Treasurer, AECENL), Gail Brinston (Vice-chair, AECENL).

Photo #2: The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, reads a story to Ava Canning, granddaughter of Mary Walsh, Chair of AECENL, during the Early Childhood Educators’ Week proclamation signing.

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2011 05 27             11:05 a.m.