The Department of Education and Early Childhood Education has formed an early childhood educator steering committee that will help guide next steps towards introducing benefits for early childhood educators in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The committee will ensure early childhood educators in the province have a forum to make recommendations to government and provide workforce-informed advice on topics such as working conditions, compensation, professional supports, pension options, changes to the provincial early childhood educator wage grid, paid sick leave, recruitment and retention.
The new committee consists of 12 early childhood educators, including at least one member from each region of the province, and members representing rural and urban perspectives, Indigenous communities, Francophone communities, family child care providers, and centre-based early childhood educators. Committee members include:
- Erica Corcoran
- Skye Crawford Taylor
- Zahra Emamipour
- Melissa Halfkenny
- Bernadine Kent
- Karina Lamontagne
- Nicole Sandra Power
- Pamela Russell-Mayo
- Jenna Ryan
- Jennifer Smith
- Mary Walsh
- Mary Lou Watkins
The department received 70 initial responses to join the committee, of which 55 applicants successfully completed the expression of interest. Individuals who expressed interest in joining the committee but were not chosen will be given opportunities to provide feedback as the work of the committee evolves.
Budget 2026 includes close to $33 million to support child care spaces. This includes support for approximately 1,200 spaces in progress and the creation of an additional 400 new spaces. There is also more than $3.6 million for inclusion supports for child care services. This will strengthen inclusive child care, celebrate diversity, and help ensure all children can access the care and early learning they deserve.
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“This committee represents the voices of early childhood educators in our province. Listening to early childhood educators was a commitment we made in our Blue Book, and we’re excited about prioritizing the issues they bring to us. By working with them on their recommendations, we can start addressing them and resolving them as quickly and efficiently as possible.”
Honourable Paul Dinn
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
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