Executive Council
June 13, 2017
Premier Ball Announces Funding for Child Care Initiative in Happy Valley-Goose Bay
The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, today announced funding for the Early Childhood Development Association (ECDA) in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. Premier Ball was joined at the announcement by the Honourable Perry Trimper, Minister of Service NL and MHA for Lake Melville.
ECDA has been approved for developmental funding of $441,062 through the Child Care Capacity Initiative through the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development.
With this funding, ECDA will develop a new 58-space child care centre for toddler and preschool children in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. The new centre will mean greater capacity, be fully accessible and will replace the building currently operating as Pumpkin House Child Care Centre. These new spaces will complement the more than 30 spaces that currently exist at Pumped Kidz.
Quotes
“As a government, we are committed to providing the best quality education system for our students; and that includes supporting opportunities to foster growth and development at a very early age through child care centres across our province. We are pleased to be joined in this investment by very healthy local partnerships that help provide meaningful benefits to the community.”
Honourable Dwight Ball
Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
“The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is pleased to be investing over $2 million in early childhood initiatives in Labrador this year. This includes $1.25 million for family resource centres, $500,000 to reduce child care costs through the Operating Grant Program for eight child care centres, and over $400,000 announced today through the Child Care Capacity Initiative.”
Honourable Dale Kirby
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“I am pleased to be part of this announcement today. The support for this initiative is in response to a direct need for childcare services within the community and is an investment in the children and families in Happy Valley-Goose Bay. This also promotes enhanced services for professionals in our community allowing them to raise a family and pursue a career at the same time.”
Honourable Perry Trimper
Minister of Service NL and MHA for Lake Melville
“On behalf of ECDA’s board and parents, I would like to express our appreciation to the Department of Early Education and Childhood Development for their support of our regional childcare facility under the Capacity Initiative. The need for childcare in our community is real and immediate; ECDA’s childcare programs are currently at full capacity with an extensive waitlist. Given the age and layout of ECDA’s current building, the contribution by the Provincial Government - along with our community and corporate partners - will support ECDA’s efforts to construct a new community childcare centre. With construction planned to start in late 2017, the new centre will assist in addressing our highest need areas for working aged parents seeking childcare services, while creating an inclusive and inviting atmosphere to support programs delivery by our staff.”
Colin O’Brien
Vice President, Early Childhood Development Association
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Media contacts
Michelle Cannizzaro
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca
Ryan Butt
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1906, 725-1614
ryanbutt@gov.nl.ca
Bonnie Learning
Constituency Assistant to the
Honourable Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville
709-896-7975
bonnielearning@gov.nl.ca
Colin O’Brien
Early Childhood Development Association
709-896-1833
colin.obrien@canada.ca
2017 06 13 4:40 p.m.