Professional Learning Funding for Early Learning and Child Care Professionals in York Region
Professional Learning Funding is a one-time provincial investment. This funding supports professional development opportunities that help build the capacity of the early years and child care sector to support the provision of high-quality programs that align with How Does Learning Happen?, Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years.
The funding provided for each eligible early learning and child care staff member includes hourly wage plus mandatory benefit reimbursement for eight (8) hours of professional development training and education.
Wage Reimbursement for Professional Development Sessions Attended
Early learning and child care (ELCC) professionals can receive wage reimbursement for professional development sessions completed between January 1, 2024 through to October 30, 2024.
Important: Reimbursement requests can only be submitted once per child care centre, with all staff and hours listed and must be submitted no later than October 31, 2024.
Payments will be processed up to eight weeks after submission.
ELCC professionals who work in York Region will be eligible for reimbursement of hourly wages plus mandatory benefits to attend professional learning sessions/trainings.
Who is eligible?
- Program staff and supervisors in licensed child care centres (Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE), Non-RECE and director-approved)
- Home visitors and home child care providers
- Non-program staff (cooks, management, administrative staff)
- Program staff and supervisors in EarlyON Child and Family Centres (contact your supervisor for details)
ELCC professionals are encouraged to discuss reimbursement and/or compensation prior to registering for a training session or certificate program.
Before submitting a request for reimbursement, operators must ensure that all professional development trainings have taken place, that the eligible staff have attended the training and that all staff wages reported will be reimbursed to staff.
Recommended priority areas for professional development training include:
- Mental health and resilience training for staff
- Early years and child care pedagogical practices aligned with How Does Learning Happen?
- Anti-racism, diversity, equity and inclusion practices
- Incorporating Indigenous perspectives and pedagogies
- Supporting educators in building capacity to support children with special needs through inclusive practices
- Equity-based Communities of Practices (this is for Francophone and Indigenous communities)
- Strengthening management/administration skills for those in director/supervisory roles as well as those considering moving into these roles (for example, staff supervision, financial management, communication strategies)
Frequently Asked Questions
Use the link below to access our Professional Development Funding FAQ document. Please check back often as additional content will be added in response to your inquiries.
If you have any questions, please send an email to @email
Becoming an Early Childhood Educator
Please see the following resources and supports available to support you on your journey to becoming an Early Childhood Educator:
- College of Early Childhood Educators
- What to expect from a career as an Early Childhood Educator - Ontario Colleges
- Financial grants for early childhood education programs
Career Path to becoming an Early Childhood Educator
- Early Childhood Education FAQ video playlist
- How has your Early Childhood Education degree shaped your understanding of early learning?
- What are the most important traits students pursuing Early Childhood Education should possess?
- How can people interested in pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education enter the field?
- What challenges do new Early Childhood Education graduates face and how can they overcome them?
- Why is Early Childhood Education a great career path and opportunity for a newcomer to Canada?
- Why is gender diversity important in Early Childhood Education?
Join our Early Learning and Child Care Professional Development mailing list
Sign up to our new York Region Children's Services Early Learning and Child Care Professional Development mailing list to receive information on professional development and training opportunities for early learning and child care professionals who work in York Region. You will receive information about:
- Free professional development and training opportunities offered by York Region Children’s Services
- Community resources
- Sector-specific information and updates
- Other professional development training opportunities offered by the community
External Resources
The following resources are available to support professional learning and have been developed to strengthen quality in early years settings:
- How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years
- Introductory Guides to How Does Learning Happen? Ontario’s Pedagogy for the Early Years
- Think, Feel Act: Lessons from Research about Young Children research briefs
and videos - Think, Feel, Act: Empowering Children in the Middle Years research briefs
- The Ontario Aboriginal Head Start Association supports professional learning for child care and early years staff in urban Indigenous settings.
- Firefly supports professional learning for child care and early years staff in First Nation communities
- AFESEO supports professional learning for child care and early years staff in Francophone settings
- Early Childhood Educators Qualifications Upgrade Program – Financial support is available to eligible applicants in the form of an education grant, travel grant, and training allowance
- The transformation of child and family programs funded by the Ministry of Education to Ontario Early Years Child and Family Centres
- Early Referral Identification Kit
- Child Development Practitioner - Skilled Trades Ontario
- College of Early Childhood Educators Continuous Professional Learning (CPL)
- College of Early Childhood Educators: Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice
- The Child & Family Collaborative
- High-Quality Licensed Child Care Fact Sheet
- Fiche d’information sur les services de garde d’enfants agréés de haute qualité
- Child Development Practitioner - Skilled Trades Ontario
- The Child & Family Collaborative
York Region acknowledges the Government of Ontario’s support in funding training opportunities for early learning and child care professionals.
