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. You must provide proof of two years of employment, we will also accept a record of employment for previous employment.

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 (when applying for sponsorship so that your tuition fees are paid to the college)
• Contact the Registrar’s office or your Program Coordinator
• Look on your student portal

Proof of Payment (if you have paid any fees to the college)

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

Yes, you can be funded for additional leadership programs; however, you must submit proof of completion for the initial program before being considered for funding for another program.

No. Unfortunately, Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) fees are no longer eligible for reimbursement under this  program. It will be the student’s responsibility to pay for these fees on their own.

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

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

No. Funding is only offered for programs within Ontario.

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.

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

     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.