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NORTHWEST TERRITORIES
The territorial government has upped the subsidy it offers to help some parents pay for daycare.

The increased rates under the Child Care User Subsidy Program became effective on Sept. 1.

"The subsidy is to assist parents who are either working or attending school fulltime who need some assistance with their childcare," said Janet Grinsted, the assistant deputy minister for advanced education and income security with the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

The increases are the first since the program began in 1999.

"We realize that costs have certainly increased since then, so we thought it was time to take a look at increasing the benefit," Grinsted said.

She noted a survey about a year ago determined the average costs for childcare across the territory and the subsidy rates have been increased accordingly.

Grinsted explained access to the subsidy is based on income.

"It's essentially for parents who need that financial help with their childcare," she said, noting various factors are taken into account, such as the cost of rent.

She said the best thing parents can do is apply and see if they are eligible.

In the 2011/2012 fiscal year, 59 families - and 80 children - accessed the subsidy.

It is available for both licensed and unlicensed daycares.

Licensed daycares include daycare centres and can also include family day homes, which are required to be licensed if they have five or more children. Unlicensed daycares could include family day homes with less than five children or informal arrangements with relatives.

There are 130 licensed daycares in the NWT, which breaks down to 61 family day homes and 69 daycare centres.

There have been two other changes to the subsidy program besides an increase in daily rates.

There used to be a required minimum of 15 hours a week to apply for the subsidy.

"But that's been removed now, so there is no minimum," Grinsted said. "So if parents need part-time care, they can still apply and may be eligible depending on their income."

In addition, the application process has been streamlined.

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