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Overview

The Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund is for projects that preserve or expand existing infrastructure of licensed centre-based child care spaces or to create new licensed centre-based child care spaces in NWT communities.

Funding priority will be given to communities with limited or non-existent early learning and child care programming.

*New Resources: What We Heard Report - Approaches to Early Learning and Child Care Space Creation and the Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Framework

In summer and fall 2024, the GNWT engaged with Indigenous governments and organizations, communities, not-for-profits organizations, licensed centre-based early learning and child care facility operators to gather feedback on the proposed approaches to creating new early learning and child care spaces and to find the most effective way to spend infrastructure funding.

The GNWT hosted 11 engagement sessions with a total of 25 participants that represented all regions of the Northwest Territories.

Engagement was framed around elements for supporting the creation of new centre-based early learning and child care spaces for NWT families. Five key findings emerged:

• Ensure that space-creation approach for each community is context-dependant
• Ensure the design of new early learning and child care spaces is culturally appropriate
• Address funding-related barriers, such as inadequate funding
• Strengthen partnerships through improved engagement, support and communication
• Consider completing a needs assessment to advise early learning and child care infrastructure implementation

Participants provided feedback on three approaches regarding options for creating new licensed centre-based early learning and child care spaces:

• The capital contributions for infrastructure projects approach
• Modular or ready-to-move approach
• Asset ownership approach

Indigenous governments, Indigenous organizations, communities, not-for-profits, license centre-based early learning and child care facility operators and the Northwest Territories' Early Childhood Association were consulted to gather feedback on the proposed approaches.

Feedback from the engagement sessions is summarized in the What We Heard Report - Approaches to Early Learning and Child Care Space Creation W, detailing the challenges and strengths of creating new child care spaces in the Northwest Territories. The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Framework has been updated to reflect the detailed findings in the What We Heard Report.

The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Framework will be the roadmap for expanding access to licensed early learning and child care spaces.

Available Funding

The total budget available is approximately $5.9 million for 2024-2025. The amount applicants receive is determined on a per proposal basis and available funding.

Deadline

The deadline to apply for funding has been removed. This means applications will be continually accepted and reviewed. 

Funding decision will be communicated to applicants within a month of the dates listed above.

Eligibility

• Licensed centre-based early learning and child care programs
• Indigenous Governments 
• Non-profit organizations
• Community-based programs
• Education bodies

How to apply

Contact an Early Childhood Consultant to discuss your application before you apply.

1. Download and complete the application.
2. Prepare your supporting documents.
3. Submit your completed application before the deadline:
   • Email: Early Childhood Consultant
   • Mail: Early Learning and Child Care, Education, Culture and Employment, Government of the Northwest Territories, P.O. Box 1320, Yellowknife, NT X1A 2L9