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Strengthening Strategic Engagement with the ELCC Sector

The Minister’s Engagement Table (MET) is a strategic advisory forum that brings together sector leaders to provide system-level advice and support informed decision making in Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC). 

As the ELCC system continues to evolve, the Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is evolving the Minister’s Engagement Table to ensure it remains effective, inclusive, and well aligned with decision timelines in the next phase of system transformation.

Expression of Interest
 

Why We’re Evolving the Table

The MET has played an important role in shaping and supporting major ELCC initiatives, including workforce compensation, affordability measures, digital modernization, and funding model implementation.

As the system matures, targeted adjustments are needed to strengthen how the Table operates and how engagement supports timely, strategic decision making. 

This evolution is intended to:

  • Improve alignment between engagement and decision making timelines
  • Clarify the Table’s mandate, role, and expectations
  • Strengthen balance and representation across regions, roles, and communities

This approach responds directly to feedback from MET members and sector partners and is focused on building on what is working.

What’s Evolving

What’s Staying the Same

The evolved Minister’s Engagement Table will include:

  • A clearer mandate and scope, focused on strategic, system level advice
  • A refreshed membership approach to support balanced representation and bring forward under-represented voices
  • Updated meeting cadence and formats that prioritize substantive dialogue and problem solving over information sharing
  • Revised Terms of Reference and confidentiality expectations to support trust, accountability, and effective discussion

While the Table is evolving, its core purpose and values remain unchanged:

  • The Minister’s Engagement Table will continue to be a central forum for strategic dialogue between government and ELCC sector leaders
  • The Department’s commitment to partnership, transparency, and meaningful engagement remains strong
  • The Table’s role in testing assumptions, surfacing risks, and informing system transformation continues

Membership & Recruitment

As part of evolution, membership will be refreshed to ensure:Timing & Next Steps
  • Representation from across all regions of Nova Scotia
  • A balance of perspectives, including operators, educators, and community partners
  • Inclusion of voices that have been under represented
  • Recruitment will be supported through sector organizations and an open call process. 
  • Summer 2026: recruitment, and onboarding
  • Fall 2026: launch of the evolved Minister’s Engagement Table

This page will be updated as the process moves forward.

Minister's Engagement Table - Expression of Interest

Please complete this application form to help us understand your background, interests, and suitability for participation.

Application deadline: Friday, August 14 at 4:00pm

Minister's Engagement Table - Frequently Asked Questions

 

For more information about the Minister’s Engagement Table or the evolution process, please contact: EarlyYears@novascotia.ca