Education and Early Childhood Development
January 30, 2017

Supporting Child Care Needs

Operating Grant Program Review Underway

The Provincial Government is currently reviewing the Operating Grant Program, a voluntary program developed to help improve the affordability of child care services for families with young children throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

“As a government, we are committed to high quality early learning and child care for children. Sector engagement is critical for an effective and comprehensive review of the Operating Grant program. We are seeking direct input from child care licensees and operators to hear what they have to say about the program and to share ideas on continued improvement. Child care plays a vital role in the healthy development of children, families and communities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and we will continue to work together as we move forward.”
- The Honourable Dale Kirby, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

As part of the review, key stakeholders have been invited to participate in engagement sessions which will take place throughout the province beginning the week of February 6. The purpose of these sessions is to gather feedback from licensees and operators that currently participate in the program and to also hear from those licensees and operators not involved in the program but who have an interest in learning more about it.

In addition to the sessions, stakeholders will be provided an opportunity to complete an online survery which will provide essential feedback in an effort to ensure the program remains relevant to the province’s child care sector.

For more information about the Operating Grant Program, visit: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/family/childcare/operating.html

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government is currently reviewing the Operating Grant Program, a voluntary program developed to help improve the affordability of child care services for families with young children throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Key stakeholder engagement sessions will be held beginning the week of February 6. Stakeholders will also be provided an opportunity to complete an online survey which will provide essential feedback in an effort to ensure the program remains relevant to the province’s child care sector.
• Approximately $38.4 million is invested in child care in Newfoundland and Labrador annually, including $10.5 million budgeted for the Operating Grant Program.
• Approximately 100 child care centers in the province are currently receiving or have applied to participate in the Operating Grant Program.
• For more information about the Operating Grant Program, visit: www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/family/childcare/operating.html

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Media contact:

Debbie Marnell Media Relations Manager Department of Education and Early Childhood Development 709-729-1906, 699-9048 debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca

2017 01 30                              10:35 a.m.