Newfoundland and Labrador’s score in an annual national early childhood education report continues to rise.
The Atkinson Centre at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education released its report for 2017 today, Feb. 7, with this province receiving 8.5 out of 15.
The report, which provides a detailed assessment of provincial and territorial frameworks for early childhood education in Canada, is based on 19 benchmarks in five categories.
They are governance structures, funding, access, quality in learning environments and accountability.
Newfoundland and Labrador scored just 1.5 in 2011 and six in 2014. The province’s scores have consistently improved over the last three reports.
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Prince Edward Island received the highest grade in the country, scoring 11 out of 15.
“We are pleased to see consistent improvement in the overall results for Newfoundland and Labrador in this publication,” Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Dale Kirby said in a news release from the provincial government.
“Understanding and celebrating children’s unique abilities is an important aspect of our work in the education and early childhood development system and we are committed to providing continued support. We have a vested interest in what early childhood educators do and we celebrate the positive impact they have on a child’s development.”
Newfoundland and Labrador was the only province or territory that was awarded a score related to early childhood educator salaries in the report, the news release noted.
It marked the first time the province’s Early Learning and Childcare (ELCC) Supplement Program has been taken into consideration.
