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.
Early Childhood Educators (ECE) play an important role in helping to create a high-quality early learning and child care system that is inclusive for all families.
What an Early Childhood Educator does:
- Designs child-centred, play-based learning.
- Enhances child and family well-being.
- Builds caring relationships with children, families, and communities.
- Creates safe, engaging, and inclusive learning spaces.
Free or reduced tuition is available to get your diploma and build a rewarding career.
Peel, Durham Region and the City of Toronto are partnering with colleges to offer domestic students financial help towards full-time opportunities to get an ECE diploma.
You do not need to submit an application for these grants. For more information or to enroll in a program, contact the participating colleges on this page.
August 2023 start date
12-month diploma programs
Grants of up to $6,000; Apply now!
September 2023 start date
8-month intensive diploma programs
Grants of up to $4,000; Apply now!
16-month diploma programs
Grants of up to $6,000; Apply Now!
- George Brown College (16-month)
- Seneca Polytechnic (16-month)
- Sheridan College (16-month)
2-year diploma programs
Grants of up to $4,000; Apply now!
- Centennial College
- Durham College
- George Brown College
- Humber College
- Seneca Polytechnic
- Sheridan College
December 2023 start date
12-month diploma program
Fully funded program (applies to December 2023 start only); Apply soon!
- Contact Mothercraft College of Early Childhood Education for more information.
16-month diploma programs
Grants of up to $6,000; Apply now!
- George Brown College (16-month)
Contact
If you have questions about eligible programs, admissions, and program requirements you can contact:
- Centennial College communitystudiesashtonbee@centennialcollege.ca
- Durham College: Andrea.murray@durhamcollege.ca
- George Brown College ece@georgebrown.ca
- Humber College: james.bulger@humber.ca
- Seneca College : student.recruitment@senecacollege.ca
- Sheridan College: cathy.coulthard@sheridancollege.ca
- Mothercraft College of Early Childhood Education: admissions@mothercraft.org or call 416-483-0511 ext. 100.
Upgrade your qualifications
If you are already working in a child care or early years setting, you may qualify for the provincial Qualifications Upgrade Program (QUP). Applicants eligible for the QUP program must first access tuition funding through this program.
The program provides financial help to individuals who work in child care and early years settings to get an ECE diploma and become eligible to apply for membership with the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE). Learn more about how to upgrade your qualifications.
Program funding
This opportunity is funded in partnership with the City of Toronto, Peel Region, The Region of Durham, 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.
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