COST OF LIVING

Commitment 3.6.2 – We will improve the accessibility, affordability and inclusivity of child care in the NWT to allow all children aged zero to five to experience an enriching, quality early learning environment, by:
Creating an action plan for a phased-in approach to making childcare more accessible and affordable.

The Department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) is committed to improving the accessibility, affordability and inclusivity of child care in the NWT.

On October 1, 2016, a revised funding support model for licensed early childhood programs came into effect (milestone 1). These changes include a significant increase to funding for infant and special needs spaces to offset the higher staff costs for these groups. For licensed programs that have parent fees, this Early Childhood Program (ECP) funding is provided in addition to the fees charged per child to parents.

The territorial implementation of free play based Junior Kindergarten (JK) in the 2017-2018 school year fulfills the GNWT 18th Assembly Mandate commitment to provide quality early learning programming for 4 year old children in all NWT communities (milestone 2).This work helps fulfill the 18th Assembly mandate commitment to improve the accessibility, affordability and inclusivity of child care in the NWT to allow all children aged zero to five the opportunity to experience an enriching, quality early learning experience.

Related Mandate Commitments:

Commitment 2.1.1: We will implement the Right from the Start Framework to invest in early childhood development by:

• Working with stakeholders and communities to explore options for free, play-based care for 4-year-olds
• Revising the funding support model for licensed early childhood programs
• Strengthening licensed early childhood programs through improving resource materials and increased training for early childhood workers