The following statement was read in the House of Assembly today by the Honourable Paul Dinn, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development:

Speaker, I rise today to recognize May 24 to 30 as Early Childhood Educators Week.

Early Childhood Educators Week is a time to celebrate the valuable contributions of early childhood educators in Newfoundland and Labrador as they enrich the lives of children in their care.

As skilled professionals, they are integral to our children’s early learning and development. They provide welcoming, play-based programs that help children learn and grow—physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially.

Speaker, I encourage everyone to celebrate our early childhood educators during Early Childhood Educators Week and encourage families to thank the educators who work and support their children.

I commend them as they guide our children every day while demonstrating their passion for the profession and each other as early childhood educators.

I also congratulate Louise Pedersen of Corner Brook on receiving the 2026 Joanne Juteau Early Childhood Education Scholarship. This is an annual scholarship presented by the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador. Ms. Pedersen is currently completing the final semester of the Early Childhood Education Diploma program at College of the North Atlantic, and I wish her every success in her career.

Thank you.