To meet the growing demand for qualified early childhood educators in Newfoundland and Labrador, a new Early Childhood Education Needs-Based Incentive Grant will provide eligible students in approved programs with non-repayable grants of up to $10,000.
Students enrolled at an approved post-secondary institution in Newfoundland and Labrador, pursuing either a full-time Early Childhood Education Certificate or an Early Childhood Education Diploma, are eligible for this grant. This includes students who are entering the second year of a Diploma Program. Currently there are approved programs at College of the North Atlantic, Keyin College and Academy Canada.
Students who apply and qualify for the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Student Financial Assistance Program, and who have assessed unmet financial need of at least $100 under that program, will qualify automatically for the new grant without requiring a separate application. The value of the grant for each individual will range between $100 and $10,000, depending on their assessed need.
This grant will be funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, with an estimated federal investment of $2 million per year. This grant is part of the commitment under the Federal-Provincial Early Learning and Child Care Action Plan to increase the percentage of fully qualified Early Childhood Educators working in the sector. The province has committed to increasing the percentage of fully certified early childhood educators working in the sector to at least 60 per cent by the end of 2025.
To support the goal of ensuring access to quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care, the Government of Canada is contributing more than $306 million for child care in Newfoundland and Labrador over five years, as well as over $34 million for the 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 Early Learning and Child Care Extension Agreement.
Quotes
“As we enter a time of significant transformation in the early learning and child care sector, we know that there is significant need to increase our early childhood education workforce. Through actions like this new non-repayable grant and the ongoing wage grid process, we are ensuring that early childhood education is a career worth pursuing and keeping.”
Honourable John Haggie
Minister of Education
“There is no child care system without an early learning and child care workforce. Early childhood educators do incredible work in supporting families and children, and this needs-based grant is a meaningful step to ensure they have access to the tools, resources and training they need to succeed.”
Honourable Karina Gould
Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Government of Canada
“Early childhood educators play an instrumental role in shaping the lives of our children. As one of the country’s largest private colleges, Keyin College is proud to help meet the increasing demand for well-qualified early childhood education graduates across Newfoundland and Labrador. We applaud the provincial and federal governments for their leadership under the Early Learning and Child Care Action Plan and the announcement of this new incentive that will further support the growth of the early childhood education workforce.”
Craig Tucker
President, Keyin College
“If you’ve ever considered training to become an early childhood educator, now is the time to act. This non-repayable grant is further evidence that government sees the value in quality early learning for children. The opportunities have never been better to train as a professional in this rewarding career.”
Lisa Lovelady
Vice-President Academic and COO, Academy Canada
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Media contacts
Marc Budgell
Education
709-729-0048, 689-0430
marcbudgell@gov.nl.ca
Mohammad Hussain
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould
Mohammad.a.hussain@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
Deanne Green
Keyin College
709-725-8993
Deanne.green@keyin.com
Jordan Snow
Academy Canada
709-739-6767
jsnow@academycanada.com