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Leadership Aspirations

This program was established to provide financial assistance to Supervisors, front line registered Early Childhood Educators designated to leadership positions and or responsibilities, and to registered Early Childhood Educators aspiring to become Supervisors in the field of Early Childhood Education. The main objective is to fund professional development opportunities in the areas of Pedagogical Leadership in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education administration, management, facilities management, fiscal responsibility, governance, human resources, employment standards, and labour relations.

Financial support is available to eligible applicants in the form of a Leadership education grant, and Leadership travel grant.

We are currently accepting all applications for the Fall 2023 semester. We will begin accepting applications for the Winter 2024 semester on Monday, November 27, 2023.

Leadership Grant

Leadership education grants are available to cover part-time tuition fees related to courses offered through a recognized Ontario College for Applied Arts and Technology, in an eligible field of study. Funding is based on the number of applications received and available funding per semester.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible to receive funds under the Leadership Education grant, an individual must:

  • Be employed as an RECE for a minimum of two years within:
    • Licensed Child Care Centres
    • Licensed Home Child Care
    • Unlicensed Home Child Care
    • Formal early learning settings, which include:
      • School Boards
      • Early ON Child and Family Centre
      • Head Start programs
      • Private schools
      • Other formal early learning child care, child and family programs, special needs resourcing agencies or school curriculum-linked programs

AND

  • Be enrolled to pursue courses through a recognized Ontario College for Applied Arts and Technology for part-time studies in an eligible field of study, which 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
    • Be living and working in Ontario

NOTE: The following individuals are exempt from the required two years of employment however must be currently employed within an eligible agency:

  • Francophone
  • First Nation, Métis and Inuit Individuals
  • Those with a Director Approval status from the Ministry of Education or those working under a letter of permission from a school board

Application Deadlines

There is limited funding available through this grant, and therefore, individuals are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible; preferably prior to the start of classes. A notice stating that no further applications will be accepted will be posted on the website once all the available funding has been awarded for the academic session.

The Program Administrator will contact the applicant in writing within 4 weeks of receiving all required documents to advise whether their application for a grant has been approved.

Grant Payments

Grant payments are deposited directly into the recipient’s bank account on the last banking day of month. The signed agreement and/or other documents must be received by our office by the 20th of month. Payments will be deferred to the next month if documents/signed agreements are received after the 20th of the month.

Grant recipients will be issued a T4A slip at the end of every calendar year in which they received payment.

Application Form

Get started on your journey to ECE by completing your application for the Leadership grant. Use the links below to apply online.

Travel Grant

Travel Grants are available to assist students with daily commute expenses while attending classes, first aid training, and/or completing the placement component of their program. Leadership travel grants are available up to a maximum of $800.00 per semester, to assist Leadership grant recipients travel to a maximum of 14 days per course.

Eligibility

FOR TRAVEL GRANTS

In order to be eligible to receive funds under the grant program, the following need apply:

  • Applicants must be approved for a Leadership Education grant under this program.
  • The educational institution must be more than 20 kilometres one-way from the applicant’s home address.

NOTE: If for any reason a travel grant recipient is unable to travel for one or more of their in class weekend sessions, the recipient will be required to reimburse the grant program for the days not traveled. Reasons include but are not limited to, inclement weather, illness, and or family circumstances.

Application Form

Get started on the process for eligibility by completing your application for a travel grant. Use the links below to apply online.

Eligible Programs

The ECE Grant Assistance Program provides financial support to Early Childhood Educators in Ontario, to advance their leadership skills and knowledge. Please review the list of leadership programs found within Ontario Colleges that may be eligible for funding.

Leadership Certification

Programs Breakdown

The following educational institutions have programs that may be eligible for financial support through our Leadership certification program. Funding is only available for part time studies.

Cambrian College

Canadore College

La Cité Collégiale

Program
Enrolment Status
Administration des affaires-gestion Temps partiel
Autisme et sciences du comportement Temps partiel
Comptabilite Temps partiel
Gestion des ressources humaines Temps partiel
Supervision Temps partiel

Confederation College

Program
Enrolment Status
Autism & Behavioural Science Part-Time
Human Resources Management Part-Time
Leadership Development Series Part-Time
Office Administration Part-Time

George Brown College

Georgian College

Program
Enrolment Status
Autism & Behavioural Science Part-Time
Bookkeeping Part-Time
Business Studies Part-Time
Children’s Mental Health Part-Time
Human Resources Management Part-Time
Leadership Development Series Part-Time

Mothercraft College

Program
Enrolment Status
Post Diploma Certifcate Programs Part-Time

Niagara College

Program
Enrolment Status
Bookkeeping Part-Time
Leadership Development Series Part-Time
Management of Human Resources Part-Time
Occupational Health and Safety Part-Time

Northern College

Program
Enrolment Status
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Part-Time

St. Clair College

St. Lawrence College

Program
Enrolment Status
Accounting Certificate Part-Time
Bookkeeping Certificate Part-Time
Human Resources  Part-Time
Leadership Development Series Part-Time

Questions &

Answers

Do I have to work for a minimum period of time within an eligible agency before I can apply for financial assistance under the Leadership grant?

Yes. You must be an existing employee of an eligible agency for at least 2 years and currently employed as:

  • Supervisor or be in a designated supervisory position with Director/Ministry approval if less than 2 years.
  • Front line registered Early Childhood Educator who has been designated to a leadership position and or has leadership/supervisory responsibilities.
  • Registered Early Childhood Educator aspiring to become a Supervisor in the field of Early Childhood Educations.

NOTE: Individuals who meet the following criteria are now exempt from the required two years of employment as an RECE and will only be required to be registered with the College of Early Childhood Educators (CECE) for one day.

  • Individuals whom identify as Francophone
  • Individuals whom identify as First Nation, Métis and Inuit communities
  • Those whom are working under Director Approval/Letter of Permission
What does it mean to have Director Approval or Letter of Permission?

Director Approval (Otherwise Approved)

Pertains to an individual having permission from the Ministry of Education to work in a licensed Registered ECE position without having their designation.

Letter of Permission

Pertains to an individual having permission from the Ministry of Education to work in a Registered ECE position without designation in a publicly funded school setting.

Will the program consider my total employment period within eligible agencies for the purpose of the 2 year eligibility period?

Yes. The total period of time that you have been employed within eligible agencies in Ontario will be considered toward the 2 year eligibility period.

Is financial assistance available to staff who work part-time?

Yes. Financial assistance is available to full-time and part-time employees working within an eligible agency.

What if I completed eligible courses prior to being hired, can I apply for reimbursement of my tuition through this program?

No. This program is to support individuals presently working in the field who want to upgrade their qualifications.

What type of financial assistance is available through the Leadership Grant?

The following types of financial assistance are available through this program:

  • Education Grants are available to cover part-time tuition fees related to courses offered through a recognized Ontario College for Applied Arts and Technology
  • Travel Grants are available to assist Leadership Education grant recipients with daily commute expenses incurred to attend classes or to complete the placement component of their program.
Is a Training allowance available through the Leadership grant?

No. The Leadership grant does not offer a training allowance.

How is my education grant calculated?

The education grant is based on your tuition fees minus any other grants or awards; excluding OSAP.

Do I need to claim my grant funding on my income tax?

Yes. Grant recipients will be issued a T4A slip at the end of every calendar year in which they received payment.

What happens if I am approved for financial assistance?

You will be mailed an approval package with payment instructions. Review carefully and return to our office by email, mail (post) or fax.

When can I expect to receive my grant payments?

Payments are only deposited once the program administrator receives your signed Grant Assistance Agreement. The Grant Program issues payments on the last day of every month. Supporting documents must therefore be received by our office no later than the 20th of any given month in order for your grant payment to be issued at the end of that same month.

Can I receive reimbursement for previously completed semesters in the Leadership program?

No. Funding is not available once the semester is completed.

Are Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) fees eligible for reimbursement?

Yes. Funding to cover PLAR fees within a current semester is now eligible for reimbursement under the Leadership program.

Are university programs in the field of ECE Leadership or other related college programs eligible for financial assistance?

The leadership grant currently includes the Honors BA of Early Childhood Leadership program offered at Sheridan College.

Do full-time programs within an eligible field of study qualify for Leadership grant funding?

No. Only part-time programs within an eligible field of study qualify for Leadership grant funding.

Will the program consider courses offered at colleges outside of Ontario?

No. Funding is only offered for programs within Ontario.

What if I am unable to pay my tuition fees?

If you are unable to pay for your tuition to the college you can select the Sponsorship option on the application form and your tuition fees will be paid directly to the college. If you have already paid your tuition or deposit amount to the College you must submit your proof of payment within your application.

What happens if I withdraw, fail or get exempted from any course?

If there are any changes during the semester in which you are receiving funding, you must inform the grant Program Administrator immediately.

How can I submit my application form and supporting documents?

Application forms and all supporting documents are accepted online directly from our website. Note all documents must be submitted as attachments in either PDF or in Jpg. format and must include your first and last name. You cannot manually add your name to a supporting document.

Can I apply for both the ECE Leadership Education grant and Travel grant?

Yes. You can apply for the Leadership Education grant and the Leadership travel grant, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria specified for each grant.

If you require any further information, please contact our office directly by calling our toll free number at 1-866-989-9299 or by email at info@ecegrants.on.ca.

Ontario ECE Grants
Ontario ECE Grants
Ontario ECE Grants

Still have a question?

Simply use the form below and submit your inquiry to our email. We will be happy to get back to you in a timely manner.