The Provincial Government is adding up to 72 more child care spaces in the St. John’s area, which will help increase access to child care services in the region.
Creating more child care spaces is a key aspect of the Provincial Government’s platform. The new spaces are in addition to up to 30 spaces announced last week in Sheshatshiu and the 470 child care spaces that have been opened since October 2025.
YWCA St. John’s has been approved by the department to add up to 72 new child care spaces at the Unity Health Centre (former Costco) on Stavanger Drive in St. John’s, which is the home to health services such as an urgent care centre and an ambulatory health care hub. The spaces are funded through an investment of $1 million as part of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, a federal-provincial agreement that funds access to affordable child care.
The Honourable Paul Dinn, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development, and the Honourable Joedy Wall, Minister of Health and Community Services also announced today that all health professionals will have priority access to the spaces which will help government with health care recruitment and retention.
The department continues to work with the other applicants interested in creating or adding child care spaces to ensure that they meet all necessary requirements associated with licensing, such as ensuring proper certifications, vulnerability sector checks, and criminal record checks are completed for staff, and providing documentation of sample menus, proof of insurance, and occupancy permits.
Parents and guardians requiring child care services are encouraged to register on MyGovNL’s Early Learning Gateway, which connects regulated child care service providers with parents and guardians who need child care through a digital waitlist.
Registered parents and guardians will be notified of updated child care space availability.
Quotes
“It’s a good day for health care professionals with young families who are looking for child care spaces in the metro region. Finding child care can be a challenge for families and has been a barrier for recruitment of health care professionals. By prioritizing some of these spaces for all health care professionals, we help ease the burden on parents with young children. We will work with the YWCA to ensure all necessary requirements are followed to open these new spaces as soon as possible.”
Honourable Paul Dinn
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development
“We heard from health care professionals that they need access to reliable, affordable child care to continue their important work to deliver high quality care for residents throughout our province. Our government listened, and this important step is a reflection of our commitment to responding to the needs of our frontline health care professionals who dedicate themselves to supporting the health and well-being of the people of our province.”
Honourable Joedy Wall
Minister of Health and Community Services
“Every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality childcare. Together with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the YWCA St. John’s, we’re helping more children get a great start in life by increasing access to child care for families.”
Honourable Tom Osborne
Parliamentary Secretary to the President of the Treasury Board and Member of Parliament for Cape Spear – Mount Pearl – Paradise
“NL Health Services welcomes this investment, which will provide greater access to childcare for health-care professionals, particularly those who work shift work. Having this additional support available can also make a difference in recruiting and retaining health-care professionals, contributing to a stronger, stable workforce in the delivery of quality care across Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Collette Smith
Vice President – Human Resources, NL Health Services
“This development is a result of YWCA St. John’s Child Care At Work project, recognizing quality, accessible and affordable childcare is essential for the safety, economic security and labour market access of women and gender diverse people. Providing child care for health care workers further supports a feminized workforce and we are thrilled to work with the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador towards gender equity.”
Maria Gentle
Executive Director, YWCA St. John’s
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