Early Childhood Education funding opportunities

Early Childhood Education funding opportunities

This is an exciting time to become a Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) because, as child care costs go down, it is expected that more families will access these services. A growing system needs a growing skilled workforce. If you’re interested in earning an ECE diploma and becoming a RECE, financial help is available.

Fully-funded, compressed ECE diploma programs were offered at the following colleges:

• Durham College - July 2022
• Centennial College - July 2022
• George Brown College - July 2022
• Mothercraft College of Early Childhood Education - January 2023

Grants ranging from $2,000 to $4,000 toward tuition costs were available at the following colleges in 2022. Information about 2023 grants will be posted once available:

*Please visit the program page for grant information and program details.

• Durham College
• Centennial College
• George Brown College
• Humber College
• Mothercraft College of Early Childhood Education
• Seneca College
• Sheridan College

Program funding

This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, The Region of Peel, The Region of Durham, The Region of Halton, the Province of Ontario, and the Government of Canada under the new Canada-Ontario Early Childhood Workforce Agreement, which provides one-time federal funding to support the retention and recruitment of a high-quality child care and early years workforce.

Early Childhood Education and Leadership Grant Programs 

Do you qualify for the Ontario Early Childhood Educator Qualification Upgrade Program?

Educators with six months of past or current experience working within a formal early learning program, licensed child care, and unlicensed home child care environment may qualify for financial support for tuition, travel and associated costs to complete an Early Childhood Educator (ECE) diploma (full-time and part-time) at an approved Ontario College for Applied Arts and Technology.

Individuals who identify as Francophone, First Nation, Métis or Inuit are exempt from the required six months work experience if they have a minimum of one day of employment within an eligible agency.

General Education courses under the Child Development Practitioner (CDP) Apprenticeship program are eligible for funding under the Early Childhood Educators Qualifications Upgrade program.

Visit ECE Grants – Education Grant for more information regarding eligibility, qualifying programs and how to apply

Did you know Ontario offers employed Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECE) leadership education grants in eligible fields of study?

Currently employed Registered Early Childhood Educators with at least two years of experience may qualify for leadership education grants to cover part-time tuition costs in an eligible field of study at a recognized Ontario College for Applied Arts and Technology.

Individuals who identify as Francophone, First Nation, Métis or Inuit are exempt from the required two years of experience if currently employed with an eligible agency.

Eligible fields of study include:

• Pedagogical leadership in Early Childhood Education

• Early Childhood Education administration and management

• Facilities management

• Financial management, responsibility and child care governance

• Human resources, employment standards and labour relations

 Visit ECE Grants – Leadership Grant for more information regarding eligibility qualifying programs and how to apply.