Based on the most recent advice of the Chief Medical Officer of Health for the need for further steps to ensure social distancing, effective end of day today (Wednesday, March 18), regulated family child care homes will close in addition to Family Resource Centres and their satellite offices.

These measures are to ensure proper social distancing as recommended by the Chief Medical Officer of Health and are in addition to the closure of regulated child care centres as announced on March 16.

All closures are for an indefinite period of time given the rapidly changing situation with COVID-19. Regulated child care centres will continue to receive operational grants and subsidies, regulated family child care homes will continue to receive subsidies, and Family Resource Centres will receive their funding as usual.

The Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is exploring various options to address questions of compensation for regulated child care centres, family child care homes, employees and families. Further updates will be provided as information becomes available.

The Provincial Government will continue to monitor and where necessary implement protocols required to contain the virus. For the most up-to-date information related to COVID-19, please visit www.gov.nl.ca/covid-19.  For general inquiries related to government services, please call 1-833-771-0696 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday to Friday or email covid19info@gov.nl.ca any time.

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“This is a rapidly changing situation and we are working to follow the advice of public health officials. We appreciate that families and those in the child care sector have many questions regarding impacts and compensation and we ask everyone for patience as we review the aid package announced by the Federal Government and determine next steps.”
Honourable Brian Warr
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development

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Media contact
Tina Coffey
Education and Early Childhood Development
709-729-1906, 687-9903
tcoffey@gov.nl.ca