Dufferin County residents considering a career in early childhood education are encouraged to check out a new part-time bursary opportunity with Georgian College!

The County continues to invest in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector with the introduction of the part-time Early Childhood Education Bursary. This bursary is being presented to registered part-time students entering or considering entering the Early Childhood Education diploma program at Georgian College.

Each annual bursary is to be paid out in two installments: $625.00 in the fall and $625.00 in the winter, with a total annual value of $1,250.00.

Recipients must demonstrate financial need and have a Dufferin County permanent address or have worked in/be currently working in Dufferin County Child Care and Early Years programs.

The Bursary is renewable each year of the program with demonstrated financial need and good academic standing.

Dufferin County also offers two full-time bursaries: the Early Childhood Education Access Bursary and Early Childhood Education Bursary. More information on these bursaries can be found here.

The application cycle is now open! Applications must be received by September 30, 2025. For more information and to apply visit here.

Georgian’s Early Childhood Education diploma prepares students to make a real difference in the lives of children and their families. The full-time program, offered at the Orillia, Orangeville and Owen Sound campuses, blends classroom learning with hands-on field placements to build skills for working with children from birth to 12 years.

For those seeking flexibility, the part-time program is delivered fully online with three intakes each year, offering the same curriculum and placements while allowing students to study at their own pace and in their own community.

Dufferin County delivers a wide range of programs, resources and services to support early childhood development and child care in the community.

In 2023, Dufferin County introduced its Child Care and Early Years Workforce Strategy with the aim to address increased access to professional learning and create conditions for the sustainable recruitment and retention of qualified educators. The Strategy is focused on recruiting and retaining ECEs to ensure high-quality child care for families, aligning with Ontario’s Early Years and Child Care Workforce Strategy. This involves initiatives like the Georgian bursaries for ECE students, supporting professional development, and leveraging funding to address workforce needs. The County also participates in regional collaborations to gather data and inform policy decisions related to the early childhood workforce.

High-quality licensed child care provides Ontario’s children with safe, responsive and caring interactions that helps children develop vital skills and build a strong foundation for their wellbeing and continued development to grow into healthy and productive adults.

Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) are trained professionals with expertise in early childhood development. These professionals must be recognized, valued and fairly compensated for the important role they play in the lives of children, families and communities at large. All communities need sufficient, qualified and engaged RECEs to perform and deliver evidence-based early learning and child care. They are valuable contributors to pedagogy, relationships, community and belonging and they deserve the opportunity to engage in meaningful work.

Learn more about high quality licensed child care here.

“Dufferin County is working to support early childhood development and child care in our community and empowering local ECEs and aspiring ECEs as they strive to provide quality care and learning for our youngest community members. There are many hardworking and deserving individuals in Dufferin who are looking to start or continue their career in early childhood education, some of whom are already working or balancing family responsibilities. This bursary with Georgian College can help them achieve their goal of contributing to pedagogy, relationships and community while supporting Dufferin families.”

-Lisa Taylor, Community Pedagogist, Dufferin County

“I’m proud of our continued partnership with Dufferin County to support Early Childhood Education students through these bursary options. The new part-time bursaries expand access for students who are balancing work, family and education, while helping strengthen the future of local child care. We’re investing in the next generation of ECE professionals right here in our community.”

-Brenda Burman, Campus, Government and Programs Manager, Georgian College