The GNWT is adding $3.5 million in wage funding and permanently increasing flexible funding by $664,000 to support early learning and child care.

Wage funding helps raise pay for early childhood educators in licensed child-care centres. The added funding is increasing the minimum pay by about $9 per hour, according to the GNWT.

Wage funding applies to early childhood assistants, educators, supervisors and administrators working in zones A, B, C and D. Go  to find your zone.

"The funding for the increases to the wage grid applies to licensed centre-based educators only," the GNWT stated. "Evidence suggests that early childhood educators in centre-based facilities currently have after-tax incomes that are below home-based operators and JK-12 education assistants. This wage increase will support closing that gap."

The territorial government added that boosting interest among educators and improving the quality of care helps ensure the sector continues to offer programs that are high quality, affordable and inclusive.

Flexible funding, which aids in covering the costs of employing staff, is based on the number of occupied spaces in a facility, the GNWT explains. Funding for infant and preschool spaces has increased to $3,250 space/per year, from $2,500. For out-of-school students, it has risen to $1,083 space/per year from $833.

SA国际影视传媒淭his significant investment in the early learning and childhood sector will help us ensure we can attract and retain employees and continue to offer accessible and quality child care now and into the future," said Education Minister Caitlin Cleveland.