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FAQ - Child Day Care Act Consultations

Q: What is the Child Day Care Act?

A: The current Child Day Care Act (Act) is legislation, sometimes referred to as a law, that sets the minimum standards for the licensing, inspection, and operation of child care centres in Nunavut. Early learning and child care centres, including family home daycares, and centres administered by non-profit societies, hamlets, District Education Authorities (DEAs), or the Commission scolaire francophone du Nunavut (CSFN) must follow the standards set out in this law. 

Q: Why is the Government of Nunavut developing a new child care law?

A: In Katujjiluta, our government committed to transforming Nunavut’s early learning and child care sector, with an emphasis on Inuit-centred learning. The child care law currently used in Nunavut was carried over from the Northwest Territories and has not been updated since 1988. Our government has committed to developing a made-in-Nunavut law to establish a foundation for high-quality, Inuit-centred early learning programs and services. This new law will enhance access, affordability, inclusivity, and quality of child care; safety and well-being of children; and accountability of providers and government.

Q: Why is early learning important?

A: The influence that early childhood experiences have on a child’s development cannot be overstated. High-quality early learning and child care programs are essential for all children and families as they help to nurture a child’s compassion and resilience, and foster their ability to continually learn and grow as they develop habits for living a good life. These programs and services also support self-determination, reconciliation, and cultural preservation, by advancing the goals of revitalizing and retaining Inuit language and culture.

Q: How were the suggested changes to the law developed?

A: A comprehensive review of the current Child Day Care Act was undertaken to identify areas for improvement. This review included a Canada-wide jurisdictional scan and engagement with key early learning and child care partners and stakeholders in Nunavut, such as licensed child care centres and Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated.

Q: Why is the Government of Nunavut consulting on the new child care law?

A: Consultations are being undertaken to ensure that improvements to early learning and child care will be responsive to the needs of Nunavummiut. It is also important to the government that all Nunavummiut have an opportunity to provide input on new or amended legislation.

Q: What is the period for consultation?

A: Public consultations will take place from March to May 31, 2024.  Ways to give feedback:

Q: How will the new law create a foundation for Inuit-centred programs and services?

A: To support Inuit-centred programs and services, the new law will establish foundational principles based in:

  • Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit principles.
  • The goal of Inunnguiniq “making a whole human being”.
  • Inclusive early learning and child care programs and services.

Q: How will the new law enhance accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and quality of child care?

A: The new child care law will enhance accessibility, affordability, inclusivity, and quality of care by putting measures in place such as:

  • Giving the government authority to regulate curriculum and learning standards for children.
  • Flexible licensing timelines and temporary licences to improve access.
  • An Early Learning and Child Care Council to provide input to the Minister of Education.
  • Giving the government authority to regulate standards for funding support to early learning and child care centres.
  • Permitting children over the age of 12 to attend programs, when needed.

Q: How will the new law support accountability?

A: The new child care law will support accountability by putting new measures in place such as:

  • Data collection and information sharing, following government privacy laws.
  • Increased authority to conduct investigations into child care centres.

Q: How will the new law improve the safety and well-being of children?

A: Because the Child Day Care Act is considered a law, it ensures that early learning and child care centres, including family home daycares, and centres administered by non-profit societies, hamlets, DEAs, or the CSFN are legally required to follow the standards and measures set out within it.

The new early learning and child care law will improve the safety and well-being of children by putting new measures in place such as:

  • Nunavut’s commitment to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
  • Mandatory criminal record and vulnerable sector checks for all employees.
  • Mandatory tuberculosis testing for all employees.
  • Minimum service delivery standards for recreational day camps and programs offered by hamlets and non-profit organizations for school-aged children.
  • 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.

Q: Will new minimum service delivery standards for recreational day camps limit the availability of these programs?

A: The proposed new standards are not intended to create barriers for hamlets and non-profit organizations offering recreational day camps and other similar programs. Minimum standards related to areas such as the age and qualifications of staff are designed to promote the safety and well-being of children attending these programs.

Q: How will consultation feedback be used?

A: All consultation feedback will be analyzed, considered, and integrated into the new early learning and child care law, to the extent possible.

Q: What happens after the consultations are complete?

A: Once consultations are complete, the Department of Education will publish a report documenting the feedback received. The department will then seek approval to draft a bill, which is a formal proposal for new or amended legislation. The bill will then be submitted to the Legislative Assembly for further discussion and debate.

Q: If passed, when will the new law be enacted?

A: If passed, the new law may take effect immediately. In some cases, there might be a delay to allow for an implementation timeline to ensure compliance with certain regulations. Nunavummiut will be informed every step of the way.

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