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

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

Unlicensed Childcare Providers must provide the following:

• Evidence of Operation: Evidence of operating a registered business, including the name of the business, HST and/or business number.
• Reference Letters: Reference letters from parents and/or suppliers, demonstrating you have worked with children for at least six (6) months.

If you are no longer employed you can submit a Record of Employment

Education

A document from the college that confirms your enrolment (full-time/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. Individuals must work for a minimum of six months (past or present).

• NOTE: The following individuals are exempt from the required 6 months of employment (past or present), however must have a minimum of 1 day of employment within an eligible agency:

  • Francophone
  • First Nation, Métis and Inuit Individuals
  • Employees of EarlyON Child and Family Centre or employed in a child care and family program funded under any Indigenous-led Child & Family Centres
  • Those working under Director Approval or Letter of Permission
  • Special Needs Resourcing (SNR) agencies providing ongoing support to children with special needs attending licensed childcare
  • Applicants who have completed the Skills Ontario Pilot for employment in child care

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

No. Financial assistance is available to employees working in an eligible agency.

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. A copy of this letter must also be submitted at the time of application.

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, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria. Please review the application checklist for details regarding this process.

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

• Education Grants are available to cover tuition fees related to a recognized Early Childhood Education diploma.
• Travel Grants are available to assist Education Grant recipients with daily commute expenses & accommodations incurred to attend classes or to complete the placement component of their program.
• Training allowance is automatically assessed in order to assist education grant recipients with living expenses and other incremental costs incurred while pursuing their Early Childhood Education diploma.

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

Only General Education/ Elective courses under the Apprenticeship Program are eligible for funding under the Early Childhood Educators Qualifications Upgrade program. The cost of Apprenticeship courses are already subsidized by the Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities we cannot provide any further funding for those specific courses.

Yes. This diploma is eligible for financial assistance.

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

No. Only the Early Childhood Education diploma program from a recognized community college in Ontario is eligible.

Programs are offered through the following institutes:

• First Nations Technical Institute in partnership with Canadore College
• Oshki-Pimache-O-Win: The WenJack Education Institute in partnership with Canadore College
• Seven Generations Education Institute in partnership with Canadore College
• Kenjgewin Teg in partnership with Canadore College
• Anishinabek Educational Institute in partnership with St. Clair College
• Six Nations Polytechnic in partnership with Niagara College

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 be considered a full-time student by your educational institution.

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.