EXCERPTS
Can licensed early learning and child care programs that operate in school buildings remain open even though schools have closed?
Early learning and child care programs that operate in school buildings across the NWT will need to address this concern with the Education Bodies in their community to determine whether or not the program may continue to operate in a school space. If you are unsure of who to contact please speak to your ECC who will contact the relevant education superintendent in your region.
Will ECE staff continue to conduct annual licensing inspections, now that the GNWT has indicated its employees will be working from home?
ECE staff will be in contact with early learning and child care programs whose licenses are expiring soon, to determine next steps and ensure programs continue to meet the requirements under the Child Day Care Act and Child Day Care Standards Regulations.
If a new licensed early learning and child care program were to close during this time, would they be expected to pay back any funding received for new spaces and/or health and safety?
If a licensed early learning and child care program recently opened and received new child care spaces and/or health and safety funding, and has chosen to close temporarily due to COVID-19, they will not be expected to re-pay the GNWT at this time. If a program chooses to close indefinitely, they may be expected to re-pay the funding they received according to their contribution agreement.