1971   First child care centre to receive territorial government funding was opened in Iqaluit (then known as Frobisher Bay). It taught children in both English and Inuktitut syllabics and had four Inuit child care workers.

1970s   Child care centres set up at the instigation of parents and community members. Funding was generally through federal government Local Initiative Project (LIP) grants with some user subsidy for parents in need from the Territorial government.

1974  The Policy Respecting Day Care Services noted that while numerous child care services were in operation, only two were receiving operational financial support from the Territory (the original centre in Iqaliut and a second centre in Yellowknife).

1976  The Territory finalized a policy on fee subsidies for child care centres, family day care, and after-school programs.

1980  The Territory adopted the Policy Respecting Subsidized Day Care in the Northwest Territories, which considered costs and income to determine eligibility for subsidization of children in unregulated child care.

1983  Establishment of the Northwest Territories Child Care Association which circulated voluntary standards for child care centres.

1985  The territorial government hired a Day Care Consultant to review child care issues and make recommendations.

1988  The government enacted its first child care legislation, The Northwest Territories Child Day Care Act.

The Advisory Council on the Status of Women released a policy paper on child care which outlined a comprehensive program to develop a system of child care services (Position paper on child care).

The first early childhood education training program in the Northwest Territories was opened in Arctic College in Iqaluit and was delivered in both English and Inuktitut.

1989  A consultant was hired by the Native Council of Canada to research the specific child care needs of native peoples in the Northwest Territories.

The Interim Day Care program came into force in April.

1993  Child care responsibilities were moved from the Department of Social Services to the Department of Education, Culture and Employment.

1996  The major initiative was early intervention.