GRANT HELPS EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS UPGRADE QUALIFICATIONS

Licensed child care centres and family child care homes that were developed or expanded in 2008-09 are receiving an Education Support Grant to assist employees to upgrade their qualifications as Early Childhood Educators. More than $280,000 is being provided by the Ministry of Education for 141 licensed facilities.

"Licensed child care facilities will be able to enhance the training of Early Childhood Educators who provide early learning experiences to our youngest citizens," Deputy Premier and Education Minister Ken Krawetz said. "The Education Support Grant is also an investment in Saskatchewan families who can be assured children in licensed facilities are cared for by qualified professionals."

The recent expansion of child care spaces has led to an increased need for qualified Early Childhood Educators. To meet that need, licensed facilities will receive up to $900 for training-related expenses for each full-time equivalent staff position. The training will help ensure that all staff meet or exceed the early childhood education requirements outlined in The Child Care Regulations, 2001. The funds can be used to support all Early Childhood Educators in the facility.

Only facilities that have been established or expanded since February 2008 will receive this year's Education Support Grant. The grant has already been provided to facilities that existed in the 2007-08 fiscal year, and was intended for use over a two-year period. In this year's distribution of the grant, 50 new or expanded licensed child care centres will receive a total of $188,130, and 91 licensed family child care homes throughout the province will receive a total of $95,400. The facilities receiving the grant will be contacted by the Ministry of Education and the grant will be distributed by March 2009.

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For more information, contact:

Jacquie McLean
Education
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5609
Email: jacquie.mclean@gov.sk.ca