Realize Your
Leadership Aspirations
This program was established to provide financial assistance to Supervisors, front line registered Early Childhood Educators designated to leadership positions and or responsibilities, and to registered Early Childhood Educators aspiring to become Supervisors in the field of Early Childhood Education. The main objective is to fund professional development opportunities in the areas of Pedagogical Leadership in Early Childhood Education, Early Childhood Education administration, management, facilities management, fiscal responsibility, governance, human resources, employment standards, and labour relations.
Financial support is available to eligible applicants in the form of a Leadership education grant, and Leadership travel grant. We are now accepting applications for full-time and part-time studies for the Winter 2021 semester. We will begin accepting applications for the Spring/Summer 2021 semester as of Monday, March 22, 2021.
Questions &
Answers
What type of financial assistance is available through the Leadership Grant?
The following types of financial assistance are available through this program:
- Leadership Education grants are available to cover part-time tuition fees related to courses offered through a recognized Ontario College for Applied Arts and Technology, in one of the following eligible fields of study:
- Pedagogical leadership in Early Childhood Education.
- Early Childhood Education administration and management.
- Facilities management.
- Financial management, responsibility and child care governance.
- Human resources, employment standards and labour relations.
- Leadership travel grants are available up to a maximum of $800.00 per semester to assist Leadership Education grant recipients with daily commute expenses incurred to attend the in-class component of their program, to a maximum of 14 days per course.
Is a training allowance available through the Leadership grant?
No. The Leadership grant does not offer a training allowance.
Do I have to work for a minimum period of time within an eligible agency before I can apply for financial assistance under the Leadership grant?
Yes. You must be an existing employee of an eligible agency for at least 2 years and currently employed as a:
- Supervisor (as defined in the Day Nurseries Act, 1990, Regulation 262) or be in a designated supervisory position with Director/Ministry approval if less then 2 years.
- Front line registered Early Childhood Educator who has been designated to a leadership position and or has leadership/supervisory responsibilities.
- Registered Early Childhood Educator aspiring to become a Supervisor in the field of Early Childhood Educations.
The eligible agencies are as follows:
What if I changed employers, will the program consider my total employment period within eligible agencies for the purpose of the 2 year eligibility period?
Yes. The total period of time that you have been employed within eligible agencies in Ontario will be considered toward the 2 year eligibility period.
Is financial assistance available to staff who work part-time?
Yes. Financial assistance is available to full-time and part-time employees working within an eligible agency.
What if I completed eligible courses before being hired, can I apply for reimbursement of my tuition through this program?
No. This program is to support individuals presently working in the field who want to upgrade their qualifications.
I am currently employed within an eligible agency and am also enrolled in qualifying courses. Can I receive funding?
Yes. You can apply for funding related to the courses that you have not yet completed, provided that you meet the eligibility criteria.
Will the program consider courses offered at colleges outside of Ontario?
No. Since there are a number of program delivery options available in Ontario, this program will only consider applications for programs offered within this province.
What happens if I'm approved for financial assistance?
A letter is sent to you when your application has been approved by the Program Administrator. The letter is accompanied by a Grant Assistance Agreement, which specifies the terms and conditions for the provision of financial assistance as well as a Confirmation of Payment Instruction form so that you can receive payment through direct deposit. After you have signed the agreement, you will return all of the documents to the Program Administrator and a copy will be returned to you for your records once finalized.
How is my grant calculated?
The Leadership Education grant is based on your tuition fees minus any other grants or awards; excluding OSAP.
The Leadership travel grant is determined by multiplying the kilometre rate of $0.41 per kilometre by the return distance between the applicant’s home address and the educational institution or placement location, and then by the number of days of the classes or placement. The maximum Leadership travel grant is $800.00 per semester.
Can I apply for both grants?
Yes. You can apply for the Leadership Education grant and the Leadership travel grant, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria specified for each grant.
When can I expect to receive my grant payments?
Payments are made once the Program Administrator receives the applicant’s signed Grant Assistance Agreement and an unofficial transcript for previously funded courses, if applicable.
Is the grant funding taxable?
Grant recipients will be issued a T4A slip at the end of every calendar year in which they received payment. For more information, please visit the web site of the Canada Revenue Agency.
Are faxed applications accepted or do I have to mail originals?
Yes. Faxed, mailed, and emailed applications are accepted.
What happens if I'm approved for a grant and then I withdraw from my studies?
It is your responsibility to inform the Program Administrator immediately if you withdraw from your funded course(s) and or program. If you withdraw from your studies, you are required to repay the Leadership Education grant and any Leadership travel grant received for the withdrawn course(s). If you fail to advise the Program Administrator of your course withdrawal, you will be liable to repay the grant, plus interest and you will be ineligible to apply for any further grants.
What happens if I'm approved for a grant and I fail or do not complete a course within the program?
Once you are approved for funding, you are responsible for ensuring that you meet all academic requirements to continue in and successfully complete your funded course(s) and or program. If you fail or do not complete a course, you are required to repay the Leadership Education grant, as well as any travel grant received for the failed course(s).
Where can I go to get more information about the Leadership grant?
Additional information on the Leadership grant is available from our website or by calling the toll free number, at 1-866-989-9299.
Still have a question?
Simply use the form below and submit your inquiry to our email. We will be happy to get back to you in a timely manner.