Newfoundland and Labrador has announced a new medical benefits program for early childhood educators working in regulated child care services.
The program, set to begin in the fall of 2024, aims to support the recruitment and retention of these essential workers.
Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, revealed this initiative today, emphasizing its role in recognizing and supporting early childhood educators.
“Early childhood educators play an important role in the learning and development of our children as they start discovering new things every day,” Howell said. She noted that the government has been working on enhancing recruitment and retention initiatives for this sector, and the new medical benefits program is a significant step in these efforts.
The program will be managed by the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL) and will be optional for individuals who have worked a minimum of three months at a regulated child care service participating in the Operating Grant Program. Eligible participants include early childhood educators, trainee early childhood educators, other staff working in child care services, and regulated family child care providers.
Skye Taylor, Executive Director of AECENL, highlighted the importance of this initiative in professionalizing the sector.
“The introduction of a medical benefits program for early childhood educators marks another step toward professionalizing the sector and acknowledging the vital role that educators play in supporting families and children by providing quality care and inclusive early learning opportunities,” said Taylor.
The annual cost of the new benefits plan is estimated at over $1.8 million, funded through the $306 million investment from the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. This agreement aims to improve access to high-quality, affordable, flexible, and inclusive early learning and child care programs and services.
The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, also expressed support for the initiative.
“Early childhood educators are at the very heart of the Canada-wide early learning and child care system, and we need to be there for them just as they always are for our families and kids,” Sudds said. She described the announcement as a significant step in attracting, retaining, and supporting educators in Newfoundland and Labrador.
Currently, there are nearly 9,400 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10-a-day or less in the province, with an additional 2,000 spaces in development. The provincial government remains committed to providing high-quality, affordable child care accessible throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.
This new medical benefits program underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance the early learning and child care sector, ensuring that those who educate and care for the youngest members of society receive the support they deserve.