Early Childhood educators (ECEs) are critical to high-quality child care, so as of August 13, 2021, the Government of Canada announced a one-time investment of $48.8 million dollars to support BC in ensuring ECEs are able to further their professional goals. In addition, a four-year funding program of $272 million to the province of British Columbia was launched to improve the access to high-quality, affordable, and inclusive early learning and child care programs and services.
“Child care is not a luxury, it's a necessity. High-quality early learning experiences are essential to the intellectual, emotional and physical development of our children,” says Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. “Our government will continue to fight for families and children in British Columbia to ensure they have access to high quality, affordable, accessible, and inclusive child care, because every child deserves the best possible start in life.”
Under the 2021–2022 to 2024–2025 Canada–British Columbia Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, BC will be supporting more affordable child care, giving priority to facilities that offer care to infants and toddlers, and enhancing equity in child care to support Indigenous families and families with children with support needs. This funding will also help to improve access to ECE training programs, provide bursaries to hundreds of ECE students, and provide additional incentives to early learning professionals to join the sector and upgrade their skills.
Looking to upgrade your skills and start a new career in ECE? Now is the perfect time to head back to school with the additional support of the Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC) Support Fund. Information for Fall 2021 applications will soon be available here.
Vancouver Career College offers a variety of programs in early childhood education. From a 44-week certificate program that covers learning through play, art, and creative development to a 72-week comprehensive diploma program that covers hands-on infant/toddler and special needs training, you’ll be able to find a program that fits your schedule and flexibility requirements. For a limited time only, Vancouver Career College is offering a $2,500 scholarship* if you enroll in one of the early childhood education programs before September 30. Find out more about our early childhood education options here or fill in the Request Info Form to learn more.
*Some conditions apply.