News & Stories: Policy Monitor

Excerpt: "The primary measure of success for the Strategy will be an increase in the number of licensed early learning and child care programs and spaces throughout the NWT over time. This information will be made available through annual reporting on the Canada-NWT Early Learning and Child Care Bilateral Agreement (2021-2025) and Action Plan (2021-22) and subsequent bilateral agreements, including the Canada-NWT Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (2021-2026) and Action Plan (2021-2023). The results will also be included in ECE’s evaluation schedule for early learning and child care programs."

Excerpt: "The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has released two new resources to support the planning and development of new licensed centre-based child care spaces across the territory. These resources are designed to assist current and prospective child care providers, including individuals, businesses, and organizations interested in entering the sector, as well as the contractors, developers, architects and consultants they may engage to build new facilities or renovate existing ones."

Excerpt: "The Yukon’s Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund has awarded $381,500 in funding to two community projects to enhance early learning and child care programming in the Yukon. The fund exclusively supports not-for-profit and public early learning and child care providers. Its goal is to increase spaces in priority areas such as rural, First Nations-led programs and French first language programs, and to improve accessibility in early learning and child care centres. These investments are part of the Government of Yukon’s ongoing commitment to support children and families from diverse backgrounds. The fund builds on existing programs that help Yukon families save up to $8,400 per child annually through the universal child care program. It also promotes fair wages for early childhood educators and provides more support for licensed child care operators."

Excerpt: "Eighteen new centres on school grounds are opening for the return to school or have recently opened, including spaces operated by school district staff. Partnering with school districts is one way the Province is working to create new child care spaces that meet the unique needs of busy families in urban and rural communities, with one pickup and dropoff location. “The staff at Surrey schools and child care providers have worked tirelessly to create warm, welcoming and safe environments for children and families throughout our community,” said Gary Tymoschuk, chair, Surrey School District (SD36). “The investments made by the federal and provincial governments in reliable, affordable child care – close to home and within school communities – will have a profoundly positive impact on Surrey.” When the new facilities are open, families will benefit from affordable child care fees, through the Province’s fee-reduction program, which reduces the cost of child care by as much as $900 per child per month. Families that need additional support with the cost of child care may also be eligible for the Affordable Child Care Benefit."

Excerpt: "The Governments of Saskatchewan and Canada are investing $10.8 million to expand early learning and child care (ELCC) through the development of new child care centres at Saskatchewan Polytechnic campuses and Northlands College. Through the federal ELCC Infrastructure Fund, as part of the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide ELCC Agreement, 450 new child care spaces will be created at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campuses in Regina, Prince Albert, Moose Jaw and the new Saskatoon campus, along with 90 additional spaces at Northlands College in La Ronge. This investment in infrastructure will strengthen the regulated child care system by designating 30 per cent of the spaces for families facing barriers to access, including children with disabilities."

Excerpt: "The Province is working with schools and child-care partners to add the Nova Scotia Before and After Program in 21 schools across the province. The program is also adding spaces at some current locations to better meet the needs of families. In total, more than 1,200 new spaces are expected to be created for the 2025-26 school year. The program provides care for children ages four to 12 enrolled in public school before classes begin and after they end. Care is provided at the school so students have a seamless day."

Excerpt: "The Award for Excellence in Early Childhood Education will be presented to early childhood educators who demonstrate outstanding leadership in the early learning field. Recipients will be chosen based on their contributions to the well-being of children in their care and commitment to fostering high-quality and inclusive early learning environments. The full nomination package and criteria will be released this fall. The announcement was held at St. Matthew’s School, a future site for a pre-kindergarten program. Once operational, the pre-kindergarten program will offer 20 early learning and child care spaces at $10 a day for families in the area. This is one of 25 early learning and child care projects representing 574 child care spaces newly approved for development in the Avalon and Central regions. A total of 1,657 child care spaces have been recently announced and are in development throughout the province."

Excerpt: "Families in Mission will now have access to a new child care centre with 67 new licensed spaces. “For families in Mission, this new child care centre means hundreds of dollars of monthly savings, shorter wait lists and the comfort of knowing their children are learning and growing close to home,” said Rohini Arora, parliamentary secretary for child care. “It means a single parent can take a job they would otherwise have to turn down, or a mom can complete her education. These are the everyday changes that make life more affordable and stable, and it’s how we’re building a stronger future, one community at a time.” The Province partnered with the City of Mission to create new child care spaces through an investment of more than $4.9 million from the ChildCareBC New Spaces Fund."

Excerpt: "The Early Childhood Educator Bursary program will provide up to 300 one-time bursaries of $10,000 to eligible students over the next three years. The bursary program is designed to cover the cost of tuition, books and some living expenses for students who have been accepted into an approved early learning and child-care certificate program at one of 20 participating Alberta post-secondary institutions."

Excerpt: "The government is investing $7.24 million to add a fourth step to the early childhood educator wage grid. “Early childhood educators play a vital role in shaping young minds, supporting families and building stronger communities,” said Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Claire Johnson. “Wage increases are essential to retain and attract skilled professionals, reduce turnover and ensure children receive consistent, high-quality care and education during their most formative years." The step being added to the grid effective Sept. 16 reflects a 5.5 per cent increase from step 3 for level 1 educators, and a 6.0 per cent increase from step 3 for entry-level educators. There will be no changes to the operator’s base wage contribution. The increase will be fully funded by the provincial government."

Saskatchewan’s provincial education plan represents a commitment to Saskatchewan students and their families. The focus of the plan is to support students for their future and to ensure students feel safe and supported. The 2024-25 school year is the second year of provincial education plan implementation.

The provincial education plan focuses on the needs of all Prekindergarten to Grade 12 students. This plan reflects the diversity of the province and ensures the presence and voices of First Nations and Métis education organizations are heard and felt throughout, as part of the journey towards reconciliation in Saskatchewan.

Saskatchewan’s education sector is foundational in contributing to the goals of Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan – The Next Decade of Growth 2020-2030 and securing a better quality of life for Saskatchewan people. The provincial education plan actions build resiliency in students and the foundational skills, knowledge and competencies they will need for their future.

Excerpt: "Families in Colchester and Inverness counties will soon have more options for child care as new spaces become available with provincial and federal support. The Lower Onslow Preschool Association in Masstown, Colchester County, is creating 52 spaces for infants, toddlers and preschoolers, while the East Coast Early Learning Association in Margaree, Inverness County, is creating 14 toddler and preschool spaces."