Retention incentive funding

See all Funding Programs

Overview

Licensed centre-based early learning and child care programs operators are eligible to receive Retention Incentive funding for the early childhood educators working directly with children in their program. The funding will be provided to operators of licensed centre-based programs to distribute to early childhood educators.

This two-year transitional funding begins to address the wage gap between early childhood educators in licensed centre-based programs and those working in other comparable roles in advance of implementing a wage grid in 2024-2025.

Licenced program operators must participate in the Retention Incentive to be eligible to receive other early learning and child care funding from the GNWT.

More information about what this funding means for you:

Available funding

Licensed centre-based early learning and child care program operators will receive the funding based on the number of full-time equivalent (FTE) educators required to meet staff-to-child ratios as legislated.

The funding will be provided to licensed centre-based based on the following FTE rates:

  • $12,750/FTE in 2022-2023, and
  • $16,250/FTE in 2023-2024.

Deadline

There is no deadline to apply.

Eligibility

  • Licensed centre-based early learning and child care program operators

How to apply

Licensed centre-based early learning and child care program operators can access this funding by contacting the Early Childhood Consultant in their region.

Early childhood educators working in licensed centre-based early learning and child care programs do not need to apply to receive the Retention Incentive.

For questions about how the Retention Incentive, educators are encouraged to contact their employer.

Contact us

For questions about how to participate in the Retention Incentive, contact the Early Childhood Consultant in your region from Monday to Friday 8:30 am to 5 pm.