New reports on developmental inclusion practices and supports within Northwest Territories (NWT) early learning and child care settings are now available.

Between June 2023 and July 2024, a third party was contracted to review current inclusion-related educational practices and supports available within licensed early learning and child care programs in the NWT. This review was informed through engagement and interviews with partners, including early childhood educators and identified organizations who provide inclusion supports to early learning and child care programs.

The results of this engagement are included in the Review of Inclusive Education Practices in Early Learning and Child Care settings in the Northwest Territories – What We Heard. The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) also published a response to the findings of the What We Heard Report.

Findings from the review indicate the need for more knowledge about inclusion best practices, a lack of clear guidelines, and challenges to access sufficient funding for inclusive education.

The GNWT response intends to clarify misconceptions, highlight what the GNWT is already doing to address concerns, and outline next steps for improvement.

Starting this spring, the GNWT will:

• Strengthen partnerships: Creating a strong foundation throughout the sector to advance work on inclusive practices.
• Develop an outline: Identifying areas for action to support inclusive, culturally-responsive early learning and to help educators gain knowledge and skills to meet the learning needs of all children.
• Engage with the sector and stakeholders: Working with early learning and child care operators, educators, and families to identify achievable supports within current resources.
• Implement system-wide changes: Taking actions to remove barriers and enhance inclusive practices.

The What We Heard Report and GNWT response supports and reflects the GNWT’s commitment under the Canada-NWT Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026, the Northwest Territories’ Canada-wide 2021-2022 to 2022-2023 Action Plan, and the 2030 Early Learning and Child Care Strategy to improve access to a high quality, affordable, accessible, and inclusive Canada-wide early learning and child care system.

Quote

“Ensuring all children have access to high-quality, inclusive early learning and child care is about more than fairness – it’s about giving every child the opportunity to thrive. This report provides valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for inclusive early learning and child care in the Northwest Territories, and our response outlines concrete steps to improve inclusion across the sector.”

• Caitlin Cleveland, Minister of Education, Culture and Employment

Quick Facts

• Data was collected through 38 interviews with early learning and child care programs and identified organizations that provide inclusion supports to early learners. This included the NWT Disabilities Council, GNWT rehabilitation staff, and relevant public school staff.
• The GNWT defines inclusion to mean that all children are welcomed and supported to participate in every aspect of their early learning and child care program through an environment that supports meaningful connections and caring relationships with children and their families. The definition is evolving to consider equity of all learners, regardless of their characteristics or the groups to which they belong. Inclusion is based on a system of guiding principles and beliefs combined with a set of best practices that focus on a child’s wellbeing, sense of belonging, development, and engagement in learning.

Related Links

• Review of Inclusive Education Practices in Early Learning and Child Care settings in the Northwest Territories – What We Heard Report
• Government Response to What We Heard Report
• Canada-NWT Early Learning and Child Care Agreement 2021-2026
• Northwest Territories’ Canada-wide 2021-2022 to 2022-2023 Action Plan
• 2030 Early Learning Child Care Strategy

For media requests, please contact:

Briony Grabke
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Education, Culture and Employment
Government of the Northwest Territories 
Briony_grabke@gov.nt.ca 
867-767-9352 ext. 71073