Early Childhood Education Assistance Program

This program will provide a debt reduction incentive to eligible Early Childhood Education graduates who successfully complete an ECE diploma/degree program from an approved ECE training program. This new program is also intended to enhance the ability of licensed child care centres and Family Home Day Care (FHDC) agencies to recruit and retain staff by providing financial support to individuals interested in pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education (ECE).

Eligibility

Interested applicants can apply to participate in the program if they:

• Graduate from an approved full-time ECE diploma/degree program after April 1, 2008.
• Received a student loan through the Nova Scotia Student Assistance program during the years of study in the ECE training program, and
• Provide proof that they are employed in a licensed day care center or FHDC agency in Nova Scotia.

For every year the applicant attended the approved post-secondary education and received a student loan for that year, the applicant will be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $5000 per year for a maximum of four years.

Participants in the program will be reimbursed when they complete 1500 hours in a licensed child care centre or a FHDC agency, within a 12 month period. An Accumulated Hours Report (PDF) is required to be submitted after 1500 hours is accumulated for each year of eligibility. A payment will be made to the Nova Scotia Student Assistance Program on behalf of the participant each year of eligible reimbursement.

Learn more by reading the Early Childhood Education Assistance Program Terms and Conditions (PDF).

Next Steps

Submit the Education Assistance Application (PDF) by printing and mailing it to:

Coordinator, Family Home Day Care & Early Childhood Education
NS Department of Community Services
Nelson Place
5675 Spring Garden Road
Halifax, Nova Scotia
B3J 1H1

Please provide feedback and/or comments to ELCC@gov.ns.ca.