The Honourable Al Hawkins, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, today announced $195,922 for Labrador West Child Care Incorporated (LWCC) in Labrador City.
Labrador West Child Care Centre is one of two licensed child care facilities in the area. With this funding, LWCC will create 36 new preschool child care spaces, increasing the centre’s capacity to 93 children. In addition, funds will be used to develop a new outdoor play area and to purchase homeroom materials and equipment.
In addition to the more than $54 million that the Provincial Government invests annually in early childhood development, the three year investment of $22 million through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Early Learning and Child Care Agreement will result in the addition of 540 spaces in child care centres and family child care homes.
Guided by the Provincial Government’s Education Action Plan and the Bilateral Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, several actions have been undertaken to improve access to affordable child care. These include:
- Reduction in child care costs for low and moderate income families and greater support for the affordability of child care;
- Increases in the number of families eligible for full and partial subsidies;
- Increases in the number of affordable, regulated child care spaces particularly in rural communities, linguistic minority communities, and Indigenous communities; and
- Enhanced incentives to increase Early Childhood Education qualifications.
Supporting education and early childhood development delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation and deliver better services and better outcomes for residents. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.
Quotes
“Accessible, affordable childcare spaces are important to families and to the provincial economy. Guided by our Education Action Plan, we are taking the necessary steps to improve access and set the stage for young children as they transition into the K-12 education system.”
Honourable Al Hawkins
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“I am very appreciative of the commitment and support from our government towards the Labrador West Child Care Incorporation. This funding through the Early Learning and Child Care Agreement comes at the most opportune time when our child care needs in Labrador West are becoming more demanding and growing on a daily basis. I am very proud to be part of this announcement today as we continue to support education and early childhood development in all regions of our province.”
Graham Letto
MHA for Labrador West
“Labrador West Child Care Incorporated is so appreciative of this funding, which was essential for the relocation to our amazing new facility and has enabled us to continue to provide the highest quality child care to the families in Labrador West. This would not have been possible without the generous support and dedication of numerous people and businesses in our community who volunteered countless hours of their time. Additionally, we would like to thank IOC. As a community partner, their interest and involvement made this project a success.”
Lorena Sinyard
Labrador West Child Care Incorporated
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Canada – Newfoundland and Labrador Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
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Media contacts
Debbie Marnell
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1906, 699-9048
debbiemarnell@gov.nl.ca
Erin Sulley
Government Members Office
709-729-5036
Bernie Mullins
Labrador West Child Care Inc.
709-944-6180