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 CentresLicensed Home Child CareFormal early learning settings, which include:School BoardsEarly ON Child and Family CentreHead Start programsPrivate schoolsOther formal early learning child care, child and family programs, special needs resourcing agencies or school curriculum-linked programsANDBe 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 EducationResource Consultant ProgramEarly Childhood Education administration and managementFacilities managementFinancial management, responsibility and child care governanceHuman resources, employment standards and labour relationsBe living and working in OntarioNOTE: The following individuals are exempt from the required two years of employment however must be currently employed within an eligible agency:FrancophoneFirst Nation, Métis, and Inuit IndividualsThose who have worked in the past with a Director Approval status from the Ministry of Education or under a letter of permission from the school board. In addition to better meeting the needs of the childcare and early years sectors across Ontario, funds under the Leadership Certification Program will be prioritized for those registered in the Resource Consultant Program.

For Travel GrantsIn 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.

Achieve Your

Leadership Goals

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.

Quick Links

Leadership Grant

Learn how to apply and be eligible for financial support, while obtaining a Leadership certification.

Travel Grant

See how you can be eligible for a travel grant that relates to Leadership certification.

Programs

See a listing of potential grant eligible Leadership certification programs, categorized by Ontario colleges.

Questions & Answers

Search the list of most frequently asked questions, in regards to Leadership certification.

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
- 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
- Resource Consultant Program
- 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 who have worked in the past with a Director Approval status from the Ministry of Education or under a letter of permission from the school board.

In addition to better meeting the needs of the childcare and early years sectors across Ontario, funds under the Leadership Certification Program will be prioritized for those registered in the Resource Consultant Program.

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 the month. The signed agreement and/or other documents must be received by our office by the 20th of the 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 link to access the portal and 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 your journey to ECE by completing your application for a travel grant. Use the link to access the portal and 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 Program Database

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.

Algonquin College

Program	Status
Accounting Certification	Part-Time
Applied Management	Part-Time
Autism Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Autism Studies	Part-Time
Bookkeeping	Part-Time
Business Administration	Part-Time
Client Relations	Part-Time
Conflict Management	Part-Time
Early Childhood Education Administration	Part-Time
Facilities Management Professional	Part-Time
Fundraising Management	Part-Time
Human Resources Management Certificate	Part-Time
Labour Relations	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Office Administration	Part-Time
Play, Learn and Teach Outdoors in the Early Years	Part-Time
Project Management Studies	Part-Time
Teachers and Trainers of Adults	Part-Time

Cambrian College

Program	Status
ECE Advocacy and Leadership (ECEL)	Part-Time
ECE Communication and Community Engagement (ECEC)	Part-Time
Financial Acumen	Part-Time
Leadership Development (LCDP)	Part-Time
Managing Employee Relations	Part-Time
Managing Organizations	Part-Time

Canadore College

Program	Status
Applied Management	Part-Time
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Bookkeeping	Part-Time
Client and Customer Relations	Part-Time
Conversational French	Part-Time
ECE - Resource Consulting	Part-Time
Human Resource Certificate program	Part-Time
Intercultural Relations	Part-Time
Leadership and Inclusion Microcertificate	Part-TIme
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time

Centennial College

Program	Status
Applied Management	Part-Time
Early Childhood Resource Consultant (Special Needs)	Part-Time
Human Resource Management	Part-Time
Labour Relations	Part-Time
Leadership and Inclusion	Part-Time
Office Administration	Part-Time
Office Bookkeeping	Part-Time

College Boréal

Program	Status
Administration en services à l’enfance	Temps partiel
Communication et relations publiques en petite enfance	Temps partiel
Gestion des Ressources Humaines en petite enfance	Temps partiel
Gestion des ressources humaines	Temps partiel
Leadership et gouvernance en petite enfance	Temps partiel
Leadership pédagogique en petite enfance	Temps partiel

Conestoga College

Program	Status
American Sign Language – Basic Skills	Part-Time
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Bookkeeping Certificate	Part-Time
Children’s Mental Health	Part-Time
Client Relations	Part-Time
ECE Resource Consulting	Part-Time
French Language	Part-Time
Human Resources	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Intercultural Relations	Part-Time
Introduction to Early Learning and Child Care	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Maintenance Management Professional	Part-Time
Management in Community Services	Part-Time
Occupational Health and Safety	Part-Time
Office Administration	Part-Time
Project Management Essentials	Part-Time
Supervision and Administration for Early Childhood Educators	Part-Time

Confederation College

Program	Status
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Bookkeeping	Part-Time
Client and Customer Relations	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Office Administration	Part-Time

Durham College

Program	Status
Bookkeeping Certificate	Part-Time
Building Environment Systems – Facilities Management	Part-Time
Children’s Mental Health	Part-Time
Client and Customer Relations (Certificate)	Part-Time
ECE Resource Consulting	Part-Time
French	Part-Time
Fundamentals of Leadership	Part-Time
Health and Safety for the Workplace	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Project Management Studies	Part-Time
Senior Leadership for Not-for-Profit Sector	Part-Time
Supervision and Leadership for Early Childhood Education (Course Series)	Part-Time
Teaching and Training Adults	Part-Time

Fanshawe College

Program	Status
Autism and Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Children’s Mental Health	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Leadership in Early Childhood Education	Part-Time
Office Administration - General	Part-Time
Project Management	Part-Time
Risky Play and Safety in Outdoor Education	Part-Time
The Outdoor Classroom	Part-Time

Fleming College

Program	Status
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Children’s Mental Health	Part-Time
Client Customer Relations	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Office Administration Certificate	Part-Time
Teacher/Trainer of Adults	Part-Time

George Brown College

Program	Status
Advanced Studies in Inclusive Early Childhood Programs	Part-Time
Business Administration	Part-Time
Early Childhood Management Certificate	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Project Management	Part-Time

Georgian College

Program	Status
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Bookkeeping	Part-Time
Business Studies	Part-Time
Children’s Mental Health	Part-Time
French Proficiency Certificate	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Office Administration - General	Part-Time
Project Management	Part-Time
Teaching and Training Adults	Part-Time

Humber College

Program	Status
Business Studies	Part-Time
Children's Mental Health	Part-Time
Everyday French Language	Part-Time
Human Resources Management Certificate	Part-Time
Project Management	Part-Time
Teacher/Trainer of Adults	Part-Time

La Cité Collégiale

Program	Status
Administration des affaires	Temps partiel
Administration des affaires – gestion des ressources humaines	Temps partiel
Autisme et sciences du comportement	Temps partiel
Techniques en administration des affaires	Temps partiel

Lambton College

Program	Status
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Bookkeeping Skills	Part-Time
Client Relations	Part-Time
French for the Workplace	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Indigenous Community & Society	Part-Time
Indigenous Culture & Relationships	Part-Time
Intercultural Relations	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Leadership Fundamentals	Part-Time
Occupational Health and Safety	Part-Time

Loyalist College

Program	Status
Human Resources Management Certificate	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series Certificate	Part-Time
Office Administration Certificate	Part-Time
Small Business Bookkeeping	Part-Time

Mohawk College

Program	Status
American Sign Language	Part-Time
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Business Computer Applications	Part-Time
Children’s Mental Health	Part-Time
Diversity and Intercultural Relations	Part-Time
ECE Resource Consulting	Part-Time
Emotional Intelligence	Part-Time
Human Resources	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Occupational Health and Safety Management	Part-Time
Office Administration	Part-Time
Project Management	Part-Time
School Based Support	Part-Time

Mothercraft College

Niagara College

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

Northern College

Program	Status
Child and Adolescent Mental Health	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time

Sault College

Program	Status
Business Applications	Part-Time
Children’s Mental Health Certificate	Part-Time
Client and Customer Relations	Part-Time
Diversity & Intercultural Relations	Part-Time
Early Childhood Education Leadership	Part-Time
Early Childhood Education Resource Consulting	Part-Time
Human Resources Practices	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Occupational Health and Safety	Part-Time
Professional Bookkeeper	Part-Time
Project Management	Part-Time
Strength-Based Perspectives In Helping	Part-Time

Seneca College

Program	Status
Adult Education \| Staff Training	Part-Time
American Sign Language	Part-Time
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Building Environmental Systems Facilities Manager	Part-Time
Business	Part-Time
Child and Adolescent Mental Health Care	Part-Time
ECE Administration	Part-Time
ECE Resource Consulting	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Intercultural Relations	Part-Time
Leadership	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Occupational Health and Safety	Part-Time
Professional Bookkeeper	Part-Time
Setting up an ECE Childcare, Nursery School or After School	Part-Time

Sheridan College

Program	Status
ECE Leadership Micro-Credential	Part-Time
French - Conversational	Part-Time
Honours Bachelor of Early Childhood Leadership	Part-Time
Human Resources Management	Part-Time
Leadership Development Series	Part-Time
Management Development Studies	Part-Time
Small Business Bookkeeping	Part-Time

St. Clair College

Program	Status
Accounting Studies Certificate	Part-Time
Autism & Behavioural Science	Part-Time
Human Resources Certificate	Part-Time
Management Studies Certificate	Part-Time
Occupational Health and Safety	Part-Time
Office Administration	Part-Time

St. Lawrence College

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

Questions & Answers

What documents do I need to apply for a grant?

Here is a list of required documents to include with your application:

Employment

A letter from your employer with the following details:

On letterhead
Dated
Signed
Date of hire
Site location
Roles and responsibilities

Please note that employment letters should not be dated more than four weeks from the date we start accepting applications.

Education

A document from the college that confirms your enrolment (part-time) in an eligible program outlining the semester, tuition fees, and courses.

Here’s where to get this information:

Intent of enrolment filled out, signed and stamped
Contact the Registrar’s office or your Program Coordinator
Look on your student portal

A copy of the tuition receipt for the semester if you have already paid for your courses and/or deposit.

Here are some acceptable documents:

Statement of account
Bank statements
Online Fee Payment Confirmation

All documents must have your first and last name.

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:

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 Education.

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 who identify as Francophone
Individuals who identify as First Nation, Métis, and Inuit communities
Those who have worked in the past with a Director Approval status from the Ministry of Education or under a letter of permission from the school board.

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 as a RECE within eligible agencies in Ontario will be considered towards 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 loans.

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 receive an e-mail from the Ontario ECE Grants with a link to access the online portal to review the approval letter and sign the contract.

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.

Sponsorship is not available for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) fees. You must pay these fees upfront and include the PLAR course information and receipt with your application.

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?

You must first create a profile and submit an application through the online portal. All supporting documents can be added to your online application. We are no longer accepting applications or supporting documents by email or fax.