The NWT government is splitting the Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund into three streams with the aim of simplifying the application process and helping to create new licensed early learning and child care spaces.
The territory announced the change in a Wednesday news release. It said eligible applicants can now apply to the Major Projects Fund, Minor Projects Fund or the Development (Needs Assessment) Project Fund.
Only licensed centre-based early learning and child care programs are eligible for the major and minor projects funding streams.
The Major Projects Fund offers funding for new builds, renovations and retrofits that cost more than $250,000. The territory said priority for funding under this stream will be given to communities without existing licensed programs or where current programs are not meeting demand as well as programs with long waitlists that want to expand their capacity, and programs for families that identify as vulnerable, equity-seeking or have children with specific developmental needs.
The Minor Projects Fund provides up to $250,000 for accessibility upgrades, space preservation projects, renovations and retrofits for licensed programs.
Advertisement.
Advertisement.
The Development (Needs Assessment) Project Fund offers a one-time payment up to $15,000 for elgibile organization’s to provide a child care needs assessment in their community.
All streams are open to organizations registered under the NWT Societies Act or that are recognized by an Indigenous or community government, as well as non-profit organizations, community-based organizations and education bodies.
Organizations that have already submitted an application or have an application under review under the previous structure of the Early Childhood Infrastructure Fund do not need to adjust or resubmit an application. The NWT government said staff will review those application under the program’s new structure to determine which funding stream is applicable.
