Overview

The early years, from birth to starting school entry, are essential for a child's brain growth. As children grow, the things they learn in their early years become the basis for all their future learning. It is shaped by the connections kids make with the people, places, cultures, languages, and beliefs in their families and communities.

The Government of the Northwest Territories recognizes that children are the future and that access to high-quality, inclusive early learning and child care is an important support for young families. Our vision is that high-quality early learning and child care opportunities should be available for all families who want or need it. We believe families should feel welcomed and supported to fully participate in early learning opportunities that are culturally sensitive, responsive to their needs, and that foster the healthy development of mind, body, and spirit.

To help us develop a responsive approach to inclusive early learning and child care for families in the Northwest Territories (NWT), Malatest was contracted to review current inclusion-related practices and supports relevant to licensed early learning and child care programs across the NWT. The review was conducted between June 2023 and July 2024.

Throughout the review, inclusion was defined as the practice of involving children with disabilities and/or those requiring enhanced or individual supports in the same early learning environment or setting as their peers, using specialized approaches and supports for them to be successful.