Apply to the Enhancement Fund for your child care program

Start-up funding is available through the Enhancement Fund for:

• child care centres; and
• family day homes.

Child care centres

Child care centres that are in the process of licensing a child care program can apply for start-up funding.

In Whitehorse

Child care centres in Whitehorse may apply for a maximum of $10,000 for requirements related to health and safety.

In communities

Child care centres in communities may apply for amounts more than $10,000 depending on community needs. This is especially if the community does not currently have a licensed child care program.

This higher amount is because of the extra costs of operating licensed child care programs in rural communities.

Family day homes

Family day homes that are in the process of getting licensing to ensure their health and safety standards meet Child Care Regulations can apply for start-up funding.

In Whitehorse

Family day homes may apply for a maximum of $1,000.

In communities

Family day homes in communities may apply for amounts more than $1,000 depending on community needs. This is especially if the community does not currently have a licensed child care program.

This reflects the extra costs of operating licensed child care programs in rural communities. 

You can apply for enhancement funding for support for your:

• child care centre; or
• family day home.

You cannot apply for this funding if you've received start-up funding during the same fiscal year.

Child care centres

Licensed child care centres can apply for up to a maximum of $5,000 for:

• regulatory requirements related to health and safety; and
• playground development and maintenance.

You can use enhancement funding for equipment for the safe and healthy care of infant and toddlers, such as:

• diapering stations;
• area rugs for soft play and strollers; and
• replacing existing broken chairs or tables.

Talk to your child care inspector

Before you apply, discuss your needs with your child care inspector.

Family day homes

Family day homes can apply for up to a maximum of $500 for:

• replacing a major appliance to a maximum of 50% of the cost or up to $500, as long as you have not received funding for the equipment previously;
• health and safety regulatory requirements; and
• outdoor play space development and maintenance.

 

You can apply to the radon mitigation fund for help with the costs of radon mitigation for your:

• child care centre; or
• family day home.

You need to provide a written quote with your application.

A radon measurement professional must complete:

• the radon testing; and
• the follow up work.

Child care centres

Licensed child care centres can apply for up to $15,000.

We'll consider additional funding for larger licensed child care centres case by case.

We'll review funding applications based on your child care centre's:

financial or in kind contribution; and
approved playground plan.

Family day home

Licensed family day homes can apply for up to $3,000.

Licensed child care centres can apply for emergency funding based on individual circumstances. Contact us to talk about your project.

Family day homes cannot apply for emergency funding.

What we need from you

You'll need to provide us with:

• 1 written quote for each item or project in your application; and
• 2 written quotes for any items over $1,000.

Apply only once a year

Each licensed child care program can only apply for funding from the Enhancement Fund once every fiscal year. Our fiscal year is from April 1 to March 31.

Do not make purchases before approval

If you complete work or buy items before we've approved your application, those costs will not be eligible for funding.

Specialized child care equipment

We'll only consider giving you funding for specialized child care equipment you've bought from other parts of Canada if you were not able to buy it within Yukon. We will not fund international purchases.

How to apply

1. Download the application form.
2. Talk to the Child Care Services Unit about your application. Call us at 867-667-3492 or toll free 1-800-661-0408, extension 3492. You can also talk to your child care inspector.
3. Send the completed application to:

Mail:

Government of Yukon

Child Care Services Unit (H-12)

Box 2703

Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6