News Release

FREDERICTON (GNB) - New Brunswickers are celebrating the 12th annual provincial Early Learning and Child Care Week from June 3 to 7, and marking Early Childhood Educator Day on Wednesday, June 5.

“This week is an opportunity to raise awareness about early learning and care services and promote the value of the early childhood education profession,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy. “Early learning educators are dedicated to caring for and teaching our children. That should be recognized and admired.”

The celebration includes various events and activities throughout the province, including:

• Children United (June 3): early educators and children will join hands in front of their early learning centres and take a photo to share using the hashtag #ChildrenUnited; and

• “Funtastic” Friday (June 7): early educators will create fun activities that will leave children with lasting memories.

“Licenced early learning centres demonstrate high-quality and value, and contribute to building a world-class education,” said Cardy. “Our government will continue to be a dedicated partner for the early learning and childcare system.”

In the 2019-20 budget, the provincial government allocated over $30 million to the Quality Improvement Funding Support (QIFS) program, which provides funding to enhance the wages of educators in over 830 private licenced early learning and child care facilities.

The provincial government announced that as part of the QIFS program, educators with recognized training who have completed a one-year college diploma, a two-year college diploma, a degree in early childhood education or a related field will qualify for a wage increase of 75 cents an hour.

The legislative assembly proclaimed Early Learning and Child Care Week to take place the first week in June every year, at the request of Early Childhood Care and Education New Brunswick (ECCENB).

The purpose is to raise awareness about the value of the work accomplished with children and families, for healthy communities that celebrate diversity and inclusion, economic development and population growth in New Brunswick.

Each year this initiative grows through continuous support from communities throughout the province. The ECCENB engages the public to show their appreciation, and encourages educators to promote their profession and celebrate their accomplishments.

Cardy asked parents and all New Brunswickers to join him in recognizing the important work early educators do for children and families.