The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released its What We Heard Report on proposed amendments to the Child Day Care Act (Act) to help support the accessibility, affordability, quality and inclusivity of early learning and child care in the NWT.

The department of Education, Culture and Employment (ECE) invited Indigenous governments, licensed early learning and child care program operators, early childhood educators, and the public to provide their feedback on the proposed amendments. These amendments seek to establish an NWT certification process and wage grid, increase inclusion and reporting measures, establish cost control measures, protect the rights of families, and update language used in the Act.

The What We Heard Report includes a summary of feedback from engagement that took place in June 2022. Stakeholders were encouraged to review a plain language summary of the proposed amendments and provide feedback in writing, by phone, or through one-on-one meetings with ECE.

Input from the engagement will inform the development of a legislative proposal, with the intention of making amendments to the Act in the life of the 19th Legislative Assembly.

Quote(s)

“The GNWT is working towards creating a universal child care system in the NWT. The feedback we received will help us transform the early learning and child care system so every family across the territory has access to high-quality, affordable, inclusive, and flexible early learning and child care.”

- R.J. Simpson, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick facts

• The Child Day Care Act and Standards Regulations set minimum standards that ensure the quality, care, instruction, and supervision of children in facilities outside of their home.
• The proposed legislative amendments are intended to support achievement of the 2030 Early Learning and Child Care Strategy which reflects the voices of Indigenous Governments, licensed early learning and child care program operators and early childhood educators throughout the territory.

Quick links

• Early Learning and Child Care
• Canada – Northwest Territories Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement – 2021 to 2026
• Northwest Territories’ Canada-wide 2021-2022 to 2022-2023 Action Plan

For media requests, please contact:

Briony Grabke

Manager, Public Affairs and Communications

Department of Education, Culture and Employment

Government of the Northwest Territories

briony_grabke@gov.nt.ca

867-767-9352  Ext. 71073