In March 2023, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) announced public housing changes to support tenants in living in public housing within non-market communities, to open and operate a licensed family day home.

The pilot project begin July 1, 2023, for a two-year period.

What is public housing?

Public housing, or non-market housing, is housing that is operated by or subsidized by the government. Market housing means housing owned and operated without government assistance.

What is a non-market community?

Non-market communities are those that have few private rental options – most housing is operated by or subsidized by the government.

How will this program help to create more child care spaces in the NWT?

The NWT has unique needs for early learning and child care spaces, compared to the rest of Canada. Solutions must be diverse and tailored to meet the needs of individual communities. Currently there are 12 communities within the NWT that do not have licensed programming for children birth to age three; 11 communities do not have market rent.

Public Housing policies did not previously permit the operation of a child care business in public housing units, meaning that small communities that may not need or be able to sustain a centre-based program did not have any other options for the creation of licensed child care spaces.

If I live in public housing and want to start a licensed family day home, how will that affect rent? Will my earnings from operating a licensed family day home affect my rent?

Once you start earning an income from the operation of your licensed family day home, any income you make may affect the amount of rent you pay.

Public housing rent is calculated annually on a household’s gross income for the prior year as reported to the Canada Revenue Agency. To learn more review the Public Housing Rent Rate Fact Sheet and reach out to your Local Housing Organization to assess how this may impact the annual public housing rent reassessment.

What will happen at the end of the pilot program?

If you start a licensed family day home in an approved public housing unit as part of the pilot program, you will be able to continue operating in the approved public housing unit when the pilot is finished.

Which communities are included in this pilot program and why were they chosen?

The following communities are included in the pilot program:

• Fort McPherson
• Colville Lake
• Fort Liard
• Wrigley
• Sambaa K’e
• Nahanni Butte
• Jean Marie River
• Dettah
• Łutselk’e

It is a priority of the GNWT to support the creation of licensed early learning and child care spaces in communities where there is a need. The communities included in this pilot currently do not have licensed programs for children from birth to age three.

I live in public housing in a community that is not part of this pilot program. Can I open a licensed family day home?

At this time only those tenants living in one of the pilot communities can open a licensed family day home.

Is the process for opening a licensed family day home different if I live in public housing? Are there additional steps or people I need to contact?

Yes, there are additional steps. Housing NWT needs to be included to ensure the unit is suitable. The process is outlined fully in the Housing NWT Policy: Licensed Child Care Facility in Public Housing - Pilot Project.

The requirements to open a licensed family day home are the same, however, some processes will differ and require additional communication between the applicant, Housing NWT staff and regional Early Childhood Consultants. Interested individuals in eligible communities should contact their Local Housing Officer and visit www.ece.gov.nt.ca/start-a-licensed-family-day-home, or contact the Early Childhood Consultant in your region to learn more.

I want to open a licensed family day home. How do I do this and what can I expect?

The GNWT is here to support your licensed family day home. Visit www.ece.gov.nt.ca/start-a-licensed-family-day-home, or contact the Early Childhood Consultant in your region to learn more and find out if running a day home is a good career fit for you!

I am interested in opening a family day home. Do I need formal education or training for this?

While formal education is not required to operate a licensed family day home, experience and education are an asset.

The GNWT provides free professional development to help support those interested in starting a licensed family day home:

• NWT Early Childhood Essentials, a free online non-credit course that provides training specific to working in early learning and child care.
• Assistance during the licensing phase: During the licensing phase your Early Childhood Consultant will help you understand the Child Day Care Act and Regulations, as well as what is required to pass a licensing inspection. Once you become licensed your Early Childhood Consultant will continue to provide support.
• Ongoing professional development opportunities are provided to licensed family day home operators throughout the year. You will receive email notifications for these opportunities as they come up.

If you are interested in a diploma or degree program in early childhood development, the GNWT provides scholarships to part-time and full-time post-secondary students to assist with costs associated with pursuing their education.

You may also want to check out the diploma programs offered in the NWT:

• Early Learning and Child Care Diploma at Aurora College
• Éducation en services à l'enfance at Collège nordique francophone