Apply for Yukon’s Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund

Funding

The major project stream provides funding to create new early learning and child care spaces in the Yukon, including: 

• planning;
• design;
• construction; and
• renovation of existing facilities. 

Funding covers planning costs, like business plans and feasibility studies, through the Canada-Yukon Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

Who can apply

You must be a Yukon resident and fall under 1 of the following categories:

• Yukon First Nations government
• Yukon society in good standing and registered under the Yukon Societies Act, including Indigenous organizations
• Yukon-based not-for-profit incorporated under the Canada Not-for-profit Corporations Act

You must:

• currently operate a licensed early learning and child care program; or
• be intending to apply for a license to operate an early learning and child care program.

You must show that you meet regulatory requirements under the Child Care Act and regulations.

Eligible projects

The following projects will be prioritized for 2026-27:

• renovation of existing commercial space in underserved rural areas or targeting populations with barriers to access; and
• feasibility, needs assessments, or designs in underserved rural areas or targeting populations with barriers to access.

Projects must expand child care spaces in 1 or more of the following:

• Indigenous-led early learning and child care centre(s)
• Francophone early learning and child care centre(s)
• Rural Yukon communities with a demonstrated need

Projects must:

• include a detailed project plan showing the completion of construction by March 31, 2027; and
• provide proof of operational viability with a proposed budget and staffing plan.

Priority will be given to projects that:

• can be completed on time and within budget; and
• have the most impact on reducing child care shortages in:
  • rural Yukon;
  • Francophone programs, or
  • Indigenous-led programs.

Review the Major project guidelines and application form for the full list of documents needed.

Available funding

If your requested funding amount is not approved, you'll need to outline your plan for securing any additional funding required to successfully complete your project.

If you receive major project funding, you must operate any new facility as a child care centre for the minimum period shown below: 

Eligible costs

Eligible project costs include:

• construction, renovation, or expansion to increase child care spaces;
• environmental assessment and permit fees;
• leasehold improvements with 5-year minimum lease from an arm’s length lessor;
• equipment purchases or leases;
• professional service for project management, design, engineering, site evaluations, architecture, accounting, legal, business planning; and
• modular building purchase and installation for child care facility use.

Ineligible costs

Funding does not cover:

• personal-use equipment such as:
  • computers;
  • furniture;
  • toys; or
  • musical instruments unless essential to the project.
• pre-approval expenses, volunteer or board time;
• project cancellation costs, financing charges, loan interest;
• land purchases, unrelated equipment leasing, lease or mortgage payments;
• operations costs like salaries, consumables or insurance; or
• real estate fees.

How to apply

1. Contact Early Learning and Child Care Branch to ensure you meet eligibility requirements and obtain an application form by emailing [email protected].
2. Download and carefully review the guidelines and application form.
3. Complete and sign the application form.
4. Submit your form and the required documents to the Early Learning and Child Care Branch:
   Email: [email protected]
   In person: 1000 Lewes Boulevard, Whitehorse, Yukon
   Mail:
   Government of Yukon
   Early Learning and Child Care Branch (E-23)
   Box 2703
   Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 2C6

Application deadline

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Please contact [email protected] for more details before beginning your application.

Approval process

You’ll receive an email confirming your application. We’ll process applications in the order we receive them.

We may request more information. If needed, we’ll place your application on hold until you respond. Applications will be withdrawn if required information is not submitted within 30 days.

You’ll receive a decision within 30 days of submitting a complete application. If your project is rejected, we’ll notify you of the reasons and you may choose to submit a revised application.  

Reporting requirements

You will have to provide within 30 days of project completion, all outstanding claims and reports. We'll work with you to finalize your project as per the Minor Projects Agreement.