The Honourable Brian Warr, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, participated in the official opening of the new Pumpkin House Child Care Centre in Happy Valley-Goose Bay today. Minister Warr was joined by the Honourable Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville, members of the Early Childhood Development Association, staff and parents for the celebration.
To increase access to child care for families in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, the Provincial Government contributed $907,000 toward the total cost of the new facility. With this investment, more than 120 children, including toddler, preschool and afterschool children can now be accommodated at Pumpkin House Child Care Centre and Peacock Primary School.
The Department of Children Seniors and Social Development also provided financial support through the Community Healthy Living Fund to the Town of Happy Valley-Goose Bay and the Early Childhood Development Association for the development of green space and a community garden to complement the facility.
The Provincial Government continues to make investments to build an affordable, quality child care system across the province. Budget 2019 allocates approximately $60 million for early childhood development, including:
- $7.4 million through an agreement with the Federal Government;
- $17 million for the Child Care Services Subsidy Program to reduce costs for individual families;
- Adjusting the income threshold for a full subsidy to $35,000 net family income, effective July 1, 2019. A partial subsidy is available to many families with higher than the $35,000 net family income;
- $11 million to continue the Operating Grant Program which improves affordability and accessibility of child care for low and middle income families; and
- Providing an income enhancement to qualified Early Childhood Educators working in regulated child care services.
Since last year, under the Operating Grant Program, there are approximately 1,000 more affordable child care spaces now available.
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 www.thewayforward.gov.nl.ca
Quotes
“Congratulations to the Early Childhood Development Association, staff and families at Pumpkin House Child Care Centre. I am pleased our investments in early childhood learning and affordable child care is helping families in Happy Valley-Goose Bay and across our province, ensuring the best quality child care system for our children.”
Honourable Brian Warr
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“The inclusion of green space and a community garden will provide many opportunities for the children at Pumpkin House to enjoy the outdoors and learn about how to live healthy, active lives. Congratulations to the Early Childhood Development Association as they celebrate the opening of this facility, and thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this project a success.”
Honourable Lisa Dempster
Minister of Children, Seniors and Social Development
“I am thrilled to be part of today’s official opening of Pumpkin House Child Care Centre in Happy Valley – Goose Bay. With more than 120 child care spaces available for toddler, preschool and afterschool programs, many families now have access to high-quality, affordable child care.”
Honourable Perry Trimper
MHA for Lake Melville
“On behalf of Early Childhood Development Association Board, parents and staff, I would like to express our appreciation to the Provincial Government for their continued support. With an increase in spaces for both our child care and afterschool programs, our new child care centre provides accessible, affordable and inclusive child care to many families. Today’s official opening is a true reflection of partnership between community stakeholders, corporate partners and the provincial government, in leveraging limited resources to address community needs.”
Colin O’Brien
Vice President, Early Childhood Development Association
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Media contacts
Tina Coffey
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1906, 728-8650
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca
Gina MacArthur
Children, Seniors and Social Development
709-729-3768, 730-2977
GinaMacArthur@gov.nl.ca
Bonnie Learning
Constituency Assistant to Honourable Perry Trimper, MHA for Lake Melville
709-896-7975
bonnielearning@gov.nl.ca
Colin O’Brien
Early Childhood Development Association
709-896-1833
colinobrien@hotmail.com