The Government of Yukon is committed to increasing access to high-quality, affordable, and inclusive early learning and child care. Building on this commitment, the Yukon government has published a “What We Heard” report outlining how feedback received from partners and stakeholders can shape a potential review of the Child Care Act, as well as a summary of possible amendments.
Report findings reflect two years of feedback and engagement with First Nation governments, stakeholder groups, early learning program operators, educators, and families. By seeking feedback from these partners and stakeholders, as well as providing opportunities for participation in the review process, the Yukon government is better positioned to consider amendments to the Child Care Act that could best reflect the needs of children today.
Based on the engagement feedback, the report highlights a number of potential Child Care Act amendments that could, if passed, strengthen and legislate improvements already implemented through the new universal child care system, including where government funding has reduced rates for families to below $10 per day on average, increased minimum wages for early childhood educators to the highest in the country, and enhanced program quality. The report also includes potential amendments that could:
- improve inclusive supports;
- simplify subsidy processes for families and operators;
- modernize credentialing and licensing requirements for educators;
- support continued professional development for educators; and
- update the role and powers of the Yukon Child Care Board.
The Department of Education’s Early Learning and Child Care unit will continue to consult and engage with partners and stakeholders as the work to review the Yukon’s Child Care Act advances.
Our universal child care system has made significant improvements to early learning and child care and provided substantial savings to Yukon families. We know we still have more work to do. We are committed to working together with governments, families, partners and stakeholders to continue developing and expanding high-quality early learning and child care across the Yukon.
Minister of Education Jeanie McLean
The Yukon’s current Child Care Act came into force on July 1, 1990, more than 30 years ago. Like other legislation of its era, the current Act reflects a focus on children’s health and safety and custodial care.
Policymakers and early learning experts across the world have increasingly recognized that in addition to this, children need much more, including high quality, varied and nurturing learning experiences to help them grow and develop.
Collected feedback has informed the development of numerous initiatives that have been implemented since April 2021. This includes universal child care, which has helped reduce average child care fees in the Yukon to $10 per day, and increasing minimum wage for early childhood educators to the highest in the country at $30 per hour.
The Early Learning and Child Care unit is available to support families, licensed early learning programs and early childhood educators with information about opportunities, funding, and more. Reach out to earlylearning@yukon.ca for information.
Renée Francoeur
Cabinet Communications
867-334-9194
renee.francoeur@yukon.ca
Krisandra Reid
Communications, Education
867-336-0653
krisandra.reid@yukon.ca