Early Learning and Child Development Division – Department of Education, Gov. of NL

METRO ELCD REGIONAL OFFICE:

100 Prince Phillip Drive, Confederation Building, West Block, 3rd Floor, P.O. Box 8700, St. John’s, NL, A1B 4J6

Telephone: 1-709-729-5097
Email: education@gov.nl.ca

Vision: 

Effective and modern learning environments that foster inclusive and healthy communities for all learners in the province. 

Mandate:

The Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development is responsible for all matters relating to a high-quality educational system in the province, from early learning and child care to K-12 education and post-secondary education. The mandate for the department is primarily established under the Departmental Notices under the Executive Council Act. Additionally, the following acts (including any associated regulations) support the department’s mandate: Child Care Act; College Act, 1996; Council on Higher Education Act; Degree Granting Act; Memorial University Act; Memorial University Pensions Act; Private Training Institutions Act; Public Libraries Act; Schools Act, 1997; Student Financial Assistance Act, 2019; Teacher Training Act; and Teachers’ Association Act.

Lines of Business:

Departmental programs and services enable a high-quality learning environment from early learning and child care to K-12 to post-secondary education, focused on ensuring all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have a bright start in life and continued opportunities for learning.

Highlights of Programs/Services Offered:

Early Learning and Child Care

  • Develop and monitor legislation, policies, and programs to support licensed child care services
    and early learning programs. 
  • Provide financial support for the development and operation of child care centres, family child
    care homes, family child care agencies, and community agencies, such as family resource centres.
  • Support children with diverse learning needs in early learning environments.
  • License, monitor, and inspect early learning and child care services.
  • Monitor and evaluate the early learning and child care system through data collection, analysis,
    planning, and research.
  • Support children’s transition from licensed early learning and child care to the K[1]12 education
    system.
  • Provide parent resources and supports such as the child care subsidy and parent resource kits.
    Support early literacy through funded positions within public libraries which support early childhood educators.

K-12 Education

  • Oversee K-12 educational policies and legislation.
  • Fund and support programs of study for the K-12 schools in English and French.
  • Provide learning resource materials for the K-12 schools in English and French.
  • Develop and monitor English and French curricula and programs.
  • Provide distance education.
  • Create and/or select curriculum documents and teaching resources.
  • Evaluate curriculum and assess outcomes.
  • Provide programs and resources to support students with diverse learning needs.
  • Monitor education system performance through data collection and analysis, planning, and
    research.
  • Set requirements for student diplomas and certificates.
  • Set requirements for teacher certification.
  • Collaborate with other branches regarding program implementation, student assessment and
    evaluation and teacher professional learning.
  • Fund and support public libraries.

Education Operations

  • Responsible for the delivery of programs and curriculum, student assessment and evaluation,
    student placement, and teacher professional learning.
  • Offer personal and career guidance and counselling in NL Schools.
  • Provide extra-curricular and co-curricular programs and activities.
  • Manage fiscal, human, and other resources to ensure quality teaching and learning, appropriate
    programs and services, and safe and heathy learning environments beneficial to students.

Post-Secondary Education

  • Support the delivery of post-secondary education through Memorial University of
    Newfoundland, College of the North Atlantic, and private training institutions.
  • Fund public post-secondary institutions.
  • Regulate and monitor private training institutions.
  • Administer the student financial assistance programs.
  • Provide support to the Council on Higher Education.
  • Provide programs and services for adult learning.

Click here for the Early Learning and Child Care Directory, which lists all regulated child care services, both centre-based and family child care, and family resource centres in the province.

To search by name of Childcare Centre and view any violations, click here.

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