Child, Youth and Family Services
November 5, 2012

Ministers Celebrate Official Grand Opening of Labrador Child Care Centre

The After School Zone child care centre in Labrador City held its official grand opening today (Monday, November 5). Child care centre staff, children and their families welcomed the Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, and the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, to mark this special occasion.

“It is a pleasure to be here today to celebrate the official grand opening of the After School Zone and recognize the important role it plays in the lives of families with young children here in Labrador City,” said Minister Johnson. “Through the 10-Year Child Care Strategy, our government will continue to support child care centres and programs that provide quality, sufficient, and affordable regulated child care spaces to communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.”

The After School Zone is licensed for 57 spaces where school-aged children engage in a variety of activities that support their healthy development. Under the Child Care Capacity Initiative, the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services has provided over $150,000 in developmental and operational funding to Labrador West Child Care Incorporated to develop the After School Zone. Through this funding, the After School Zone has developed a program that better meets the needs of parents by enabling the centre to offer care to children before school, during lunch, on school closure days, and care for children in kindergarten, in addition to the after school care previously provided.

“Congratulations to Labrador West Child Care Incorporated on establishing this wonderful centre, which is helping families meet their child care needs,” said Minister McGrath. “It addresses the growth we are seeing in the region and I am sure this centre will be a valuable resource to the children and families of Labrador West.”

Capacity building projects, such as the After School Zone, have been supported by the Provincial Government since the Child Care Capacity Initiative was launched in 2006. To date, this initiative has created over 380 additional child care spaces across the province. This initiative remains a key component of the 10-Year Child Care Strategy as it provides start-up and operational funding to not-for-profit organizations interested in the development of regulated child care within their communities.

“The After School Zone program greatly benefits families in Labrador West and we will continue working collaboratively with the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services to offer this program,” said Noreen Careen, Chairperson of Labrador West Child Care Incorporated. “This centre makes such a positive impact on both attending children and their parents, as parents feel more comfortable knowing their children are provided with an affordable, safe, and caring environment, and children get to explore their interests through activities in arts, sports and play.”

In Budget 2012: People and Prosperity, the Provincial Government committed to doubling its annual budget for child care by 2021-22 to approximately $56 million under the 10-Year Child Care Strategy.

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Photo: The Honourable Charlene Johnson, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services, and the Honourable Nick McGrath, Minister of Service NL and Minister Responsible for Labrador Affairs, as well as MHA for Labrador West, joined children, parents, staff and board members of the After School Zone child care centre in Labrador City for the official grand opening on Monday, November 5, 2012.

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2012 11 05                       5:10 p.m.