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The Provincial Government released its 2014 Budget, and it remains committed to enhancing the quality, accessibility, and affordability of regulated child care services for families with young children throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Budget 2014 allocates an additional $11.4 million for child care services, bringing the province’s total child care budget to approximately $42.5 million. This funding will focus on continuing to implement the 10-year child care strategy, Caring For Our Future: Provincial Strategy for Quality, Sufficient and Affordable Child Care in Newfoundland and Labrador.

In addition to funding for full-day Kindergarten, at a cost of $30.6 million over three years, Budget 2014: Shared Prosperity, Fair Society, Balanced Outlook includes $4.8 million for the continuation of early learning initiatives aimed specifically at infants and toddlers.

With a continued focus on strengthening child care throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, the Provincial Government will increase the toddler rate under the Child Care Services Subsidy Program. Effective September 1, 2014, the program’s toddler rate will increase from $30 to $33 per day for those children aged 24 months to under 36 months who are availing of regulated child care services.

Excerpt: "Creation of the new Department of Education and Early Childhood Development: The best education systems integrate early learning activities with the formal education system. The new department will be responsible for the continuum of learning from infancy through high school. It brings together the teams that will spearhead initiatives in early childhood education, the introduction of full-day kindergarten and other advances throughout the primary, elementary and secondary systems."

There are six key differences in the new act from the existing legislation. They are: The definitions of a “child care service” and a “child care provider” have been clarified and strengthened to outline specific exemptions to each definition; The capacity limit on a regulated child care licence has been removed which allows licensees to determine the scope of their service but does not impact quality of service for children; An appeals process for a licensing decision has been defined; The Minister, rather than the Lieutenant Governor in Council, will now appoint the Provincial Director of Child Care. The normal public service competition process will apply to that position; Regional managers will not be appointed as inspectors, providing transparency in the inspection process; and A statutory review will be required every five years, including a public consultation.

To help make child care more affordable for parents, the Provincial Government is launching a voluntary Operating Grant Program. Through a total investment of $9.7 million, an annual operating grant will be given to eligible licensed child care centres to help offset some of the costs associated with providing child care.

Excerpt: "This year, we are investing $926 million in a wide range of initiatives, such as the continued implementation of our 10-year child care strategy, Caring For Our Future, as well as significant investments in our K-12 infrastructure. Caring For Our Future is now in its fourth year of implementation and has been tremendously successful in enhancing the quality, affordability and sufficiency of child care in our province. Since 2003, we have increased the number of regulated child care spaces by 70 per cent and we will continue to build on that momentum by investing an additional $3.2 million to continue the implementation of this strategy, bringing this year’s budget to $45.7 million."

The new Early Learning and Child Care Directory is a searchable online database and interactive map that helps parents identify regulated child care centres, family child care as well as family resource centres in their area. Regulated child care service providers may also publicly post any vacancies in their service using the directory's Child Care Availability page.

Excerpt: "For child care centres, the following enhancements are being implemented: The Operating Grant Program will allow for increased flexibility by providing up to an additional 15 per cent above current grant amounts for child care centres that can demonstrate the financial need; Existing child care centres where kitchen facilities are unavailable for the provision of meals and snacks will now be eligible to apply for the Operating Grant Program at a reduced grant amount; and; Equipment grant funding will be continued and increased by 30 per cent for all child care centres in the province."

Excerpt: "The Provincial Government will invest over $13 million annually for the implementation of full-day Kindergarten beginning in September 2016, which includes hiring approximately 142 new teachers and providing additional student assistants. $277,000 has been allocated to implement the Premier’s Task Force on Improving Educational Outcomes to examine the K-12 system and focus on outcomes for all children in Newfoundland and Labrador, including our Aboriginal children. $1.4 million is provided for an additional 27 teaching units for inclusive education."

Excerpt: "The following enhancements will be implemented for eligible child care services: All staff funded through the Inclusion Program will be required to obtain a minimum qualification of Entry Level Certification through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador; The staffing grant has been extended to cover the cost of a substitute for a staff member to attend multi-disciplinary planning meetings, professional learning opportunities, or other recommended activities to enhance inclusionary practices; Policies for transitional planning will be developed to support smoother transitions for children as they move from one environment to another including from child care to the school system and out of child care at the age of 13; and The inclusion process will promote increased parental involvement and communication with the child care service provider."

Excerpt: "Indicative of our Government's commitment to early learning and child care, we will increase child care subsidies available to low income families throughout the province by increasing the income threshold eligibility requirement. Our Government will also look to increase the Early Learning and Child Care Supplement for qualifying early childhood educators."