Child, Youth and Family Services
May 22, 2014

The following statement was given in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Child, Youth and Family Services:

Minister Proclaims Early Childhood Educators Week

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in this Honourable House to recognize May 25 to 31 as Early Childhood Educators Week in Newfoundland and Labrador. This week will serve to recognize child care professionals who make a significant contribution to the development and care of children in our province.

Currently, there are more than 1,200 individuals working in the child care sector across Newfoundland and Labrador including regulated child care centres and family child care homes. In addition, there are early childhood educators working in many other settings related to child care, such as family resource centres, post-secondary institutions, and in research and consulting.

Through Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook, an additional $11.4 million has been allocated for child care services, bringing the province’s total child care budget to approximately $42.5 million. Mr. Speaker, this funding is focusing on the continued implementation of our 10-year child care strategy, Caring For Our Future: Provincial Strategy for Quality, Sufficient and Affordable Child Care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

A key component of this strategy is promoting a system of quality child care. Early childhood educators play a vital role in the development and delivery of child care services. Our government is committed to providing a variety of supports to early childhood educators such as early childhood education bursary programs and the Early Learning and Child Care Supplement.

Mr. Speaker, along with representatives from the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador, I will have the pleasure of proclaiming Early Childhood Educators Week on Monday, May 26. During the week, early childhood educators will have the opportunity to celebrate their profession and participate in professional development and networking events.

Mr. Speaker, I ask all members in this Honourable House to join me in recognizing and thanking all early childhood educators for the important work that they do for our most valuable resource – our children and youth.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

2014 05 22                                      2:10 p.m.