Open
Last Update: June 22, 2026
Funding available
Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
This Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program supports licensed child care facilities in the Columbia Basin Trust region with wage subsidy funding for eligible ECEs. It covers wage top-ups for current staff and vacancies, plus MERCs, and applies to group child care, multi-age child care, preschools, and in-home multi-age child care.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Attract or retain talent
Eligible Funding
- Varies by project
Timeline
- Open continuously
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Non-profit
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- All groups
Non-profit candidates
Sector of operation
- Primary and Secondary Education
Target groups
- All the groups
Revenue structures
- 100% donations / grants
Scope
- Local
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Enhancing the wages of eligible Early Childhood Educators employed by licensed child care facilities
- Supporting current ECE staff and ECE vacancies
Documents Needed
- Community Care Facility License
- WorkSafeBC Clearance Letter, if the employer has coverage
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Non-profit providers of licensed child care in the Basin region.
- For-profit providers of licensed child care in the Basin region.
- Applicants with one of these designations: Group Child Care, Multi-Age Child Care, Preschools, or In-Home Multi-Age Child Care.
Who is not eligible
- Family Child Care
- School Age Child Care
- Occasional Child Care
- Registered License-Not-Required Care
- License-Not-Required Care
Eligible expenses
- Wage subsidy for eligible ECEs
- Mandatory Employer Related Costs (MERCs)
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Family Child Care
- School Age Child Care
- Occasional Child Care
- Registered License-Not-Required Care
- License-Not-Required Care
Eligible geographic areas
- Columbia Basin Trust region
How to apply
- Download and review the Program Guide.
- Optionally download the Application Worksheet for offline preparation.
- Complete the online application.
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed, and the review process may take up to eight weeks.
Additional information
- Applications are accepted on a first-received, first-served basis until all funds are committed.
- The review process may take up to eight weeks.
- An optional Application Worksheet is available, but it cannot be used as the application.
- If an organization operates more than one child care facility, one application must be completed per facility.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program Program
What is the Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program?
This Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program supports licensed child care facilities in the Columbia Basin Trust region with wage subsidy funding for eligible ECEs. It covers wage top-ups for current staff and vacancies, plus MERCs, and applies to group child care, multi-age child care, preschools, and in-home multi-age child care.
Who is eligible for the Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program program?
To be eligible for the Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program program, you must:
Licensed child care facilities in good standing with the Ministry of Education and Child Care.
Employers must be located in the Columbia Basin Trust region.
Employers must already receive at least $4/hour in wage subsidy from another source.
What expenses are eligible under Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program?
Enhancing the wages of eligible Early Childhood Educators employed by licensed child care facilities
Supporting current ECE staff and ECE vacancies
Where is the Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program available?
The Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program program is available across Canada.
Is the Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program is a Wage Subsidies And Interns
Who are the financial supporters of the Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program?
Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program is funded by Columbia Basin Trust