A pre-kindergarten pilot program will be implemented in Newfoundland and Labrador this September.
The provincial and federal governments announced the news earlier today.
At full implementation, the program is expected to create 3,100 regulated spaces for four-year-olds by 2025-2026. In turn, they say that will open up more daycare spaces for younger children.
The province has opened up an application process for those wanting to work in the pilot program. Interested ECEs will be given preference, but must hold a level III certification.
If there aren’t enough ECE’s to fill the need, recently retired primary and elementary teachers will be considered.
Anyone looking to apply can do so by emailing PreK@gov.nl.ca.
Meanwhile, the province has a announced plans to increase wages for Early Childhood Educators.
They say a wage grid for ECE’s will be implemented by January 1, 2023. That could see wages for level II workers increased to between $25 and $26 an hour.
Other initiatives announced today include increased funding for several programs, increased post secondary seats, an “earn while you learn” program at CNA, and the establishment of an Early Learning and Child Care Minister’s Advisory Committee.
