More than 30 locations will provide a new pre-Kindergarten pilot program in the coming school year.

The early learning program will provide about 600 new regulated child care spaces in communities throughout the province.

The announcement was made this morning at Elizabeth Park Elementary—one of the participating schools.

The program will be run by not-for-profit organizations and registration dates will be announced once the opening dates are finalized at each site. The deadline for groups to make their submissions is June 6.

The first locations are scheduled to open either this fall or by the winter of 2023 and will be available for any child who is scheduled to start Kindergarten in September of 2023.

Pre-Kindergarten spots will be available to any child in that age range with registration details to be provided in the coming weeks.

Anyone interested in working in the Pre-Kindergarten program is encouraged to email PreK@gov.nl.ca to join the contact list for the application process. Hiring preference will be given to early childhood educators holding a Child Care Services Certification (CCS) Level III or higher, including those who left the sector while holding this certification.