About the Department

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development was established under the Executive Council Act and is responsible for achieving outcomes with respect to early childhood development, the K-12 education system, post-secondary education and apprenticeship and skills. The programs and services are provided through the department’s six branches:

Early Learning, Inclusion and Child Development Branch This branch includes the divisions of Provincial Policy, Regional Operations and Accountability and Reporting.
Corporate Services Branch This branch includes the divisions of Financial Services, and Policy and Information Management.
K- 12 Education Branch This branch includes the divisions of Evaluation and Research; Program Development, Program Implementation and Student Services.
Education Operations Branch This branch includes the division of School Systems, Human Resources, School Systems, School Communications, Information Technology, and Finance as well as the Solicitor.
Post-Secondary Education Branch This branch includes the divisions of Literacy and Institutional Services and Student Financial Services.
Apprenticeship and Trades This branch includes Apprenticeship and Trades Certification division

Vision

Effective and modern learning environments that foster inclusive and healthy communities for all learners in the province.

Mandate

The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development is responsible for all matters relating to a high-quality educational system in the province, from early learning and child care to K-12 education, post-secondary education and apprenticeship and trades.

The mandate for the department is primarily established under the Departmental Notices under the Executive Council Act, and other pieces of legislation that support the mandate are as follows:

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Lines of Business

Our programs and services enable a high-quality learning environment from early learning to K-12 to post-secondary education, focused on ensuring all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a bright start in life and continued opportunities for learning.

What we do:

Early Learning and Child Care:

  • Develop and monitor policies and programs to support child care and early years
  • Provide financial support for the development and operation of child care centres, family child care homes, family child care agencies and community agencies such as family resource
  • Support early learners with diverse learning
  • License, monitor, and inspect child care
  • Evaluate the child care system through data collection, analysis, planning and research.
  • Support children’s transition from child care to the K-12 education system.
  • Provide parent resources and supports such as the child care subsidy.

K-12 Education:

  • Oversee K-12 educational policies, legislation and regulations.
  • Oversee the operations of all public K-12 English schools.
  • Fund and support Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et- Labrador.
  • Develop, implement and monitor English and French curricula and programs.
  • Create and/or select curriculum documents and teaching resources.
  • Evaluate curriculum and assess outcomes.
  • Support students with diverse learning needs.
  • Monitor education system performance through data collection and analysis, planning and research.
  • Set requirements for student diplomas and certificates.
  • Set requirements for teacher development and certification.
  • Fund and support public libraries.

Post-Secondary Education:

  • Support the delivery of post-secondary education through Memorial University of Newfoundland, College of the North Atlantic and private training institutions.
  • Fund public post-secondary institutions.
  • Regulate and monitor private training institutions.
  • Administer the student financial assistance programs.

Apprenticeship and Trades Certification:

  • Oversee apprenticeship training and certification in the province.
  • Support individuals pursuing a career in the skilled trades.
  • Work with institutions delivering training in skilled trades.

Service standards are intended to describe wait times under normal circumstances.

  • Class Calls for Block or Level Training – The first round of class call packages are mailed to apprentices 40 Business Days prior to the start of a training block and will continue until a minimum number of students are confirmed (usually 6 students).
  • Exam Accommodations (Apprenticeship Supports) – Approval for the exam will be emailed within 5 Business Days of the completed application being received. An accommodated exam will be conducted within 20 Business Days of an apprentice completing block or level training.
  • Exam Marking Process and Grade Release – Grades are released 5 Business Days after Level exam dates and 10 Business Days after Certification exam dates by 4:00pm.
  • Exam Rewrite Opportunities – Exam rewrites can be conducted 20 Business Days after the original exam writing date. An exam rewrite date will be scheduled within 15 Business Days of submission of a Rewrite Registration Form.
  • Self-Study Program – Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division staff will send an email to the apprentice or trade qualifier, confirming registration for the selected counselling session date and time, within 5 Business Days of receipt of the completed Self-Study Program registration form.

Primary Clients

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development primary clients are child care service providers, early learning professionals, educators, learners and their families, schools, Conseil scolaire francophone provincial de Terre-Neuve-et- Labrador, post- secondary educational institutions, and other departments/agencies.

 

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