Supported Childcare
Supported Childcare
The Supported Child Care Program is offered by the Yukon Government. It provides funding to licensed early learning and child care programs to help create inclusive environments for children with diverse developmental needs. Funding can cover staff training, transportation, reduced staff ratios, additional supported child care educators, and assistance with renovations, specialized equipment, and educational materials. The Supported Childcare Program uses a team approach, coordinating meetings with program operators, family members, supported child care educators, the Child Development Centre, and other professionals as needed. You can find more information by contacting the Early Learning and Child Care Branch.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Supported Child Care Program
It is the childcare center that applies for the program, but the application is created collaboratively with the child’s family and the Child Development Centre.
The application, created in collaboration with the family and the Child Development Centre, is submitted to the Early Learning and Child Care Branch by the childcare center operator. The Branch reviews the application, considers various factors, and determines eligibility.
The Supported Childcare Program is not a profit-making initiative for childcare centers. Funding is tailored to the specific needs of the child and is intended to create a supportive environment.
No. The goal of the program is to support the child’s inclusion in the group, not to separate them. The supported childcare educator works alongside the group educator to ensure the child’s participation in daily activities. Childcare center staff, supported educators, and Child Development professionals collaborate to implement the program’s goals.
Our team is highly trained and experienced in supporting a wide range of needs, including: autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), speech and language delays, developmental delays, global developmental delay (GDD), Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, sensory processing disorder, anxiety, mutism, emotional or behavioural regulation difficulties, visual or hearing impairments, medical conditions, and mobility challenges requiring special care.
A diagnosis is not required for eligibility, nor does having a diagnosis guarantee funding. The Early Learning and Child Care Branch determines eligibility based on multiple factors.
While the program is intended for licensed childcare centers, not every center may be able or willing to participate due to staffing or other limitations. The Early Learning and Child Care Branch also considers individual circumstances in each case.
The Child Development Centre, in collaboration with the family and the child care center, develops an Individual Progress Plan. This plan may be implemented with or without the Supported Child Care Program, depending on whether additional resources are required.
Every child and childcare center are unique. For specific advice about your situation, we recommend contacting the Early Learning and Child Care Branch directly.
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