On March 11, Minister of Education Jeanie McLean tabled Bill No. 48, the Early Learning and Child Care Act, in the Yukon Legislative Assembly. This proposed legislation would replace the current Child Care Act with a modern approach to the early learning and child care system in the Yukon that better reflects the needs of Yukon families and communities.
This proposed legislation supports the Government of Yukon's vision of high-quality early learning and child care that is inclusive, accessible and affordable. It recognizes early learning and child care as an essential part of the Yukon's education system. It addresses the diverse needs of today's families and communities, setting children on a path towards lifelong learning while providing meaningful support to families.
The new legislation includes collaborating with Yukon First Nations governments and emphasizes the need to integrate First Nations ways of knowing, doing and being and shared responsibility for children's wellbeing while fostering access to programs that support the social, emotional, physical and cognitive development of children.
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The new legislation will be replacing the Child Care Act which has been in effect since July 1, 1990.
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The most recent engagement had over 430 responses to a survey directed at Yukon families. The responses emphasized the importance of enshrining the principles of quality, affordability, inclusivity and accessibility in legislation.
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As of October 2024, there were approximately 1,923 children enrolled in licensed child care programs across the territory, an increase of over 31 per cent since the implementation of universal child care.
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As of January 2025, the Yukon had 80 licensed early learning and child care programs and 2,365 licensed spaces.
- There are currently over 500 early child care educators directly working in licensed early learning and child care programs in the Yukon and supported by the mandatory wage grid. If passed, the wage grid will become a part of legislation and not simply a requirement in funding agreements.
