Public consultation on proposed revisions to Early Learning and Child Care Regulations in the Northwest Territories
The Government of Northwest Territories is seeking public input on the next phase of proposed changes to Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Regulations. These proposals are informed by community feedback gathered in January 2024, particularly concerning approaches to fee affordability, wages and compensation, certification and new program funding mechanisms.
Child care fee limits
The revised regulations would introduce caps on daily and monthly child care fees to make services more affordable for families. This means that, with the $750/month fee subsidy in 2024-25 through the CWELCC funding, families will pay $270/month for full-time child care.
| New ELCC facility | Other | ||||
| Daily | Monthly | Daily | Monthly | ||
| Infant | Full-time | $44.78 | $1,030 | $44.78 | $1,030 |
| Part-time | $44.78 | $1,030 | $44.78 | $1,030 | |
| Preschool | Full-time | $44.38 | $1,020 | $44.38 | $1,020 |
| Part-time | $44.38 | $1,020 | $44.38 | $1,020 | |
| School-age | Full-time | $44.38 | $1,020 | $44.38 | $1,020 |
| Part-time | $44.78 | $340 | $44.78 | $340 | |
| Out-of-school | $44.38 | $340 | $44.78 | $340 | |
New funding programs
The proposed changes include new funding categories for both centre-based and home-based programs, designed to help with specific operational costs. A key recommendation is a new funding mechanism to shift funding from attendance-based to enrollment- or space-based, ensuring stable funding regardless of attendance fluctuations.
For centre-based programs, funding will be aligned with the legislative required staff to child ratio with a possibility to add additional staff to the total allocations. Home-based operators would receive extra support, including additional funding for those operating for five or more years and flexibility in scheduling without affecting their funding.
Wage grid and qualification standards
A wage grid and certification process for centre-based program staff would be introduced, establishing a baseline for staff wages. ELCC staff working directly with children would need to be certified under the five qualification pathways: Certificate, Certificate Equivalency, Diploma, Degree and Unrecognized Education.
All home-based operators would be required to complete the Northwest Territories Early Childhood Essentials Course. Additionally, an annual bonus to Indigenous ELCC staff in licensed centre-based programs and employees who have experience in northern programs. The scope and frequency of background checks for ELCC staff would also be updated.
Engagement period
This public engagement runs from August 15 to September 16, 2024. Feedback on the proposed changes can be submitted via the Government of Northwest Territories’ website or by email at earlylearning@gov.nt.ca.
For more information, read the plain language summary of the proposed changes and the Draft Early Learning and Child Care Regulations.