Minister of Education Krista Lynn Howell announced the Early Childhood Educator Recruitment and Retention Grant, to encourage more early childhood educators to enter, or re-enter the workforce.

The Early Childhood Educator Recruitment and Retention Grant will provide funding to Level I to IV early childhood educators to become certified and work in regulated child care services.

Effective September 1, 2023, early childhood educators who meet the eligibility criteria under the grant program will be eligible to receive $2,500 upon initial child care services certification. Further grants of $2,500 up to a total of $7,500 will be awarded following each three-year renewal of Level I to IV child care services certification. The grant includes a commitment for recipients to work in regulated child care services in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Advocates say this grant is a good first step, but they are are still advocating for better wages, and paid benefits for early childhood educators in the province.