New early learning and child care spaces will benefit Yukon families

Press Release

May 13, 2026

This is a joint news release between the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada.

Yukon families will benefit from new early learning and child care spaces that will be created with funding support from the Government of Yukon and the Government of Canada.

The Council of Yukon First Nations will receive $694,600 over two years (2025 to 2027), to renovate a commercial space in Whitehorse and create up to 14 Yukon First Nations-led, licensed early learning and child care spaces. The new child care program will offer a unique opportunity to expand the organization’s continuum of care for Yukon First Nations and Indigenous families.

The Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon will receive $581,914 over two years (2025 to 2027), to renovate an existing space in Whitehorse and create up to 28 Francophone licensed early learning and child care spaces. This project supports an expansion of the Garderie du petit cheval blanc, a French first language child care program, to a second location in Takhini, in addition to its Copper Ridge location.

Both projects are supported by the Government of Yukon’s Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund, made possible with investments from the Canada–Yukon Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Agreement. This funding program was established to increase the accessibility of high-quality early learning and child care that is both affordable and inclusive.

With support from the Government of Canada, the Government of Yukon’s Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund both increases accessibility of child care spaces and supports non-profits, family day homes, Indigenous organizations and First Nations governments to create new early learning and child care spaces across the Yukon.

Minister of Education Scott Kent

Every family deserves access to affordable, high-quality child care close to home. In partnership with the Yukon, this investment to create new early learning and child care spaces will continue to support Yukon First Nations and franco-yukonnais communities, helping children learn and grow in environments that foster their language and culture. When children have a great start in life, families thrive and all Canadians benefit.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Member of Parliament of Yukon Brendan Hanley

These new Yukon First Nations-led early learning and child care spaces will help meet the growing needs of Yukon First Nations and Indigenous families. By providing culturally grounded, high-quality care, they will give our children a strong start and support families in nurturing a healthy, promising future. We thank our funding partners for helping make these vital services possible for our community.

Council of Yukon First Nations Grand Chief Math’ieya Alatini

We are thankful to be able to count on the support from the Yukon’s Department of Education and the Government of Canada to expand our early childhood services and respond to the community’s growth. There are currently over 100 children on the wait list for our existing daycare: proof that our community is growing rapidly and that the transmission of French language and culture is a priority for these families. The expansion of our services in early childhood is a key part of our strategic plan and without this financial support, it would not be possible to reach this objective.

Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon acting President Véronique Maggiore

Quick facts

• The Government of Yukon signed a three-year Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund agreement with Canada in March 2024, to support infrastructure projects that increase inclusion in early learning and child care for underserved communities. In February 2025, this agreement was extended to 2026–27, bringing the total investment to approximately $10.5 million over four years.
• The fund is designed to support current and prospective owners of not-for-profit early learning and child care centres in creating new spaces and improving the accessibility of existing programs. The funding program focuses on four priorities identified during engagement on modernizing the Child Care Act:
  • Increased access to early learning and child care in underserved communities in rural Yukon.
  • Increased access to Indigenous-led early learning and child care.
  • Increased access to Francophone early learning and child care.
  • Enhance accessibility for children with disabilities in existing early learning and child care programs.
• As of March 2025, there were 2,345 licensed child care spaces in 79 licensed early learning and child care centres and family home programs across the territory. Of those centres and programs: nine are owned or operated by First Nations governments, 14 are operated by not-for-profit societies, 17 are family day homes and 39 are operated by private businesses.
• No matter the child care option parents choose, the Canada Child Benefit (CCB) provides direct, tax-free support, helping about 3.5 million families, including over six million children every year. While families can use the benefit however they need, for many it significantly reduces the burden of child care expenses – in some cases, cutting them entirely thanks to federal, provincial and territorial investments to reduce child care fees in the Canada-wide early learning and child care system.

Media contact

Tim Kucharuk
Press secretary, Cabinet Communications
867-335-2419
tim.kucharuk@yukon.ca

Krisandra Reid
Communications, Education
867-332-3743
krisandra.reid@yukon.ca

Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

Stephanie Joe
Communications Advisor, Council of Yukon First Nations
stephanie.joe@cyfn.net

Maud Caron
Communications et relations communautaires, Commission scolaire francophone du Yukon
maud.caron@yukon.ca

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