Transforming Nunavut’s Child Day Care Act
The original Child Day Care Act, established in 1988, is undergoing a full review to enhance the early learning and child care sector.
The Government of Nunavut is developing new early learning and child care legislation (law). Our vision and aim is to foster high-quality, Inuit-centred early learning and child care programs that are accessible, affordable, inclusive, and focused on the safety and well-being of children. The new law will also encompass Inuit culture, and languages.
Your feedback is important to this process.
Ways to give feedback
- Complete our online survey before May 31, 2024 CLICK HERE
- Email your feedback to [email protected]
- Complete a comment card available here or at your local Government Liaison Office.
- Join us in person for consultations:
Community | Consultation Date | Meeting Space |
---|---|---|
Iqaluit | TBD | TBC |
Arviat | April 15, 2024 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Katimavik Suites |
Coral Harbour | April 16, 2024 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | Sakku School |
Rankin Inlet | April 17, 2024 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Katimavik Suites |
Baker Lake | April 18, 2024 | 6:30 - 8 p.m. | Nunamiut Lodge |
Chesterfield Inlet | April 19, 2024 | 5-6 p.m. | Victor Sammurtok School Gym |
Pond Inlet | May 1, 2024 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Community Hall |
Pangnirtung | April 30, 2024 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Alookie School Gym |
Kugluktuk | May 6, 2024 | Coppermine Inn |
Cambridge Bay | May 7, 2024 | 7-8:30 p.m. | Kuugaq Cafe |
Gjoa Haven | May 8, 2024 | TBC |
Igloolik | May 13, 2024 | TBC |
Sanikiluaq | May 21, 2024 | TBC |
Kimmirut | May 28, 2024 | TBC |
Discussion topics will include:
Inuit-centred early learning and child care programs and services |
Foundational Principles: Establish foundational principles, which are key values and ways of knowing. These create a foundation for Inuit-centred early learning and child care in Nunavut and will guide the delivery of early learning and child care programs and services. Foundational principles will include:
Inuit Languages: Establish a duty for the Minister of Education to promote early childhood Inuit language learning. |
Accessible, affordable, inclusive, and quality early learning and child care |
Curriculum Standards: Establish regulation-making authority and create new standards to guide children’s learning in child care programs. Early Learning and Child Care Council: Create a council to share recommendations with the Minister of Education about early learning and child care issues. Council members would include community partners, such as early learning and child care operators and Inuit organizations. Flexible Timelines and Temporary Licences: Streamline the licensing process for child care centres by making timelines more flexible and allow for temporary licences to be issued when needed. Funding Authority: Establish regulation-making authority for the Minister of Education to create new standards for funding support to licensed early learning and child care centres. Inclusion and Equity: Allow children over the age of 12 to attend child care programs when needed. |
Accountability |
Investigative Authority: Increased authority to conduct investigations of licensed early learning and child care centres and individuals suspected of operating an unlicensed child care centre. For example, the ability to investigate if a licensed child care centre is following its board-approved policies. Data Collection and Sharing: Require early learning and child care operators to collect information related to the administration of their centres and programs. Required information will be set out in the regulations. Create the ability for the Minister of Education to follow government privacy laws and share anonymous data with other funding organizations, such as Inuit organizations and the federal government. |
The safety and well-being of children |
Criminal Record and Vulnerable Sector Check: Require early learning and child care operators to obtain completed criminal record and vulnerable sector checks from all employees before they start working. Tuberculosis (TB) Testing: Require early learning and child care operators to obtain employee results of TB tests before working. Recreational Day Camps: Establish minimum standards for recreational day camps offered by hamlets and non-profit organizations. Exemptions: Permit the Minister of Education to delegate the authority to exempt early learning and child care centres from specific requirements in the law. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to common questions about the Child Day Care Act, as well as its importance, the proposed changes, and the impact on your family and community. CLICK HERE