Mr. Speaker, a few days ago, I spoke about the importance of early childhood development and some of the successful programs that are available to children in the Northwest Territories. Today, I would like to bring you up to date on the early childhood programs, which play an important role in improving access to quality child care in the Northwest Territories.
Since the former child day care program was transferred to Education, Culture and Employment, my staff have been consulting closely with stakeholders to determine how to improve the quality and number of early childhood programs in the Northwest Territories, and how to improve access by supporting parents and people who operate programs. This consultation included a symposium held in the fall of 1993, which brought together more than 80 people from communities across the Northwest Territories working in the field of child care and early childhood education.
On the strength of this consultation, a number of changes were made to the early childhood program, effective September 1st of last year.
Mr. Speaker, I would like to point out that contributions to assist with the start-up costs of early childhood programs have been enhanced to promote more openings in the communities for infants and children requiring additional support. As well, this contribution is now available to assist with the start-up of part-time and after school programs.
Contributions supporting the ongoing costs of operating early childhood programs are also enhanced. More funding is now available for programs which provide for early intervention and the development of infants and children with special needs, as well as for those which operate part-time and after school programs. The contributions are being made quarterly and in advance, based on anticipated child attendance.
Research has shown that post-secondary training in early childhood development for care providers plays an important role in providing quality services to children. Our next challenge is to increase the qualifications of early childhood workers in the Northwest Territories and to assist facilities in hiring qualified staff.
Further consultations with stakeholders will deal with these questions and with planning a comprehensive and community-based training program for child care providers, which will be available across the Northwest Territories.
Child care services play an important role in supporting parents as they prepare for and participate in the labour force. The user subsidy, available to assist parents in accessing early childhood programs, has now been expanded to include parents who are employed or training part-time and require part-time child care. This assistance is also available to parents who are not employed or involved in training, but whose children are at risk and would benefit from a program of early intervention.
The user subsidy is now based on a needs assessment which helps to ensure that families will be treated more equitably according to their needs and the cost of child care. This year, 312 families are receiving the child care user subsidy, an increase from 298 in 1993-94 and 140 in 1992-93. We anticipate approval of many more before the end of this month.
Mr. Speaker, while parents have the primary responsibility for child care, we also understand that access to child care services is essential for northerners to work or take education and training programs. The changes to the early childhood program are a step in this direction, and Education, Culture and Employment have received predominantly favourable responses to the changes since they came into effect.
The department is also collaborating with the federal government on early childhood initiatives so that Brighter Futures and the Aboriginal Headstart initiative, which will be announced April 1st, complement similar programs.
Mr. Speaker, to help mark Education Week, department staff have sent a package of information on the early childhood program to all licensed child care programs, all College East and West campuses, all community learning centres, principals of schools with grade extensions, and women's organizations. The information will also be sent to community health representatives and nursing stations. I will be distributing a similar information package to all Members of this Assembly.
Posters about the importance of parents reading to young children have been sent to all kindergarten students, as well as all licensed preschool programs.
The department staff will also continue to consult with interest groups and those directly involved in providing child day care services as the early childhood program evolves and improves so that it better meets the needs of northerners. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.