When we think about what keeps our communities running, what allows people to work, build, grow, and thrive, we often picture roads, public transit, or broadband internet. But there’s another kind of infrastructure that’s just as essential: early learning and child care.

Early learning is workforce infrastructure because it makes all other work possible. Without accessible, high-quality child care, parents (especially mothers) are pushed out of the workforce or forced to juggle unpredictable care arrangements. When early learning programs are strong, stable, and well-supported, families can count on consistent care and educators can build meaningful, lasting careers.

But it goes deeper than logistics. Early learning doesn’t just support the workforce, it develops it. Every day, early childhood educators are laying the foundation for lifelong learning, social-emotional skills, problem-solving, and resilience. In other words, they’re helping raise the next generation of workers, leaders, and citizens.

And yet, this vital infrastructure is often undervalued. It’s time we change that narrative. Investing in early learning means investing in economic stability, gender equity, and the well-being of our communities. It means recognizing educators as the professionals they are and ensuring they’re supported to thrive in their work.

Here in Newfoundland and Labrador, we’re part of a national movement toward a stronger, more equitable early learning system. As that work continues, let’s keep the spotlight on what really makes the system sustainable: educators, families, and the children at the heart of it all.

When we support early learning as infrastructure, we’re not just helping today’s workforce, we’re building a better future for everyone.

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