More training opportunities in early childhood education
Training opportunities are available in Prince Edward Island (PEI) for early childhood educators (ECEs) and for people interested in starting a career in early childhood education, to work with and help children at their earliest stages.
The Accelerated Early Childhood Education Program is being offered for current early childhood educators who are eligible to upskill their education to an ECE certificate or diploma. For individuals interested in starting a new career, the Early Childhood Development Associations’ (ECDA) Skills PEI Steps to Success program will provide six months of training and workplace experience to become a level one early childhood educator.
“We know that a strong, qualified, and stable workforce in early learning and childcare is essential and that early childhood educators are at the heart of a high-quality childcare system. Investing in early childhood training and education supports the development of early childhood educators and the growth of a quality early years sector in our province to benefit Island children and families.”
- Education and Lifelong Learning Minister Natalie Jameson
“Early childhood educators are at the heart of our Canada-wide child care system, and play a vital role in delivering quality care for our children,” Canada’s Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, the Honourable Karina Gould said. “These investments will ensure early childhood educators have the skills and tools they need to succeed and provide new opportunities to expand the workforce.”
"We need to continue to expand our Island workforce and recruit additional early childhood educators. Through our Skills PEI office we are working closely with industry to support training opportunities for Islanders interested in starting a career in the childcare sector," said Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Matthew MacKay. "Increasing the number of trained early childhood educators will ensure our province continues to provide quality programs to our youngest citizens."
"Steps to Success is a wonderful and supportive way to enter into the early learning and childcare sector! For anyone who is interested in working with our Island's youngest citizens, gaining meaningful knowledge about child development and gaining hands-on work experience, this program is for you!" Jennifer Nangreaves, Executive Director of ECDA of PEI.
"I would definitely recommend the program to anyone who is interested in the field. Steps to Success is a great program with outstanding people. They made a world of difference in my life and I will be forever grateful for the opportunity and the help that they gave me," Kyle Murphy, ECE and Steps to Success graduate.
For more information about both programs, including eligibility, financial support and timelines, call 902-368-1866 or email projects@ecdaofpei.ca. Applications are being accepted now for the next Steps to Success beginning January 2022.
Funding for the Accelerated Early Childhood Education Program is provided by the Canada-PEI Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement. The Steps to Success administered by the ECDA of PEI, with funding from the Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture and the Government of Canada under the Canada-PEI. Labour Market Development Agreement and the Canada-PEI Workforce Development agreement. This year, almost $34M will be provided by the Government of Canada to PEI under these labour market transfers for training and employment supports to workers and employers, reaching an average of 12,000 individuals in PEI each year.
The Government of Canada is making a transformative investment to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care system in partnership with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners. This includes a historic federal investment of nearly $121.3 million for Prince Edward Island, including a one time investment of about $3.6 million to in 2021-22 to support the PEI’s Early Childhood workforce. The goal is to bring fees for regulated child care down to $10 per day on average within the next five years. By the end of 2022, the Government of Canada is aiming to reduce average fees for regulated early learning and child care by 50 per cent to make it more affordable for families.
Media Contact
Autumn Tremere
Education and Lifelong Learning
agtremere@gov.pe.ca
Margaret Jaques
Senior Communications Advisor
Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould
Margaret.Jaques@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
BACKGROUNDER
Accelerated Early Childhood Education Program
Early childhood education programs teach educators the skills they need to get children started on a successful journey through the education system.
The PEI Department of Education and Lifelong Learning, through the Canada-PEI CanadaWide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, is pleased to provide financial support for an Accelerated Post Secondary Early Childhood Education Program, being offered through Holland College. Discussion are underway with Collège de l'Île to develop similar opportunities in 2022.
The Program provides funding for eligible early childhood educators seeking to upskill their education to an ECE certificate or diploma in a shortened time frame. Applicants must have a minimum of two years’ experience and be currently working in the licensed sector. Tuition fees for students have been reduced due to the funding supports provided through the Canada-PEI CanadaWide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, as well as Educational Grants provided through the Department of Education and Lifelong Learning.
For more information and application details, please call 902-368-1866.
Steps to Success
For anyone interested in pursuing a career in early childhood, now is the time to get started.
Through the ECDA’s Steps to Success program, in 6 months individuals can gain the post-secondary training from Holland College required to become a Level One Early Childhood Educator. The program includes both classroom learning and workplace experience. The next Steps to Success program begins this January 2022 and applications are currently being accepted.
Steps to Success is brought to you by the Early Childhood Development Association of PEI and funded by the Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture and the Government of Canada under the Canada-PEI labour market transfer agreements. For details, please call 902-368-1866 6 or email projects@ecdaofpei.ca.