Dufferin County continues to invest in the Early Childhood Education (ECE) sector with an additional $80,000 of funding in support of ECE bursaries at Georgian College.

To help build new and renewed capacity in the local ECE workforce, Dufferin County has invested a total of $152,000 to establish a renewable bursary program for Dufferin residents pursuing early childhood education studies at Georgian College, including:

• Dufferin County Early Childhood Education Bursary –$2,500 renewable bursaries are available for full-time students entering the Early Childhood Education diploma program at any Georgian College campus.
• Dufferin County Early Childhood Education Access Bursary –$2,500 renewable bursaries are available for full-time Black, Indigenous or Francophone students entering the Early Childhood Education diploma program at any Georgian College campus.

Recipients will demonstrate financial need and must have a Dufferin County permanent address. The Bursary is renewable in year two of the program with demonstrated financial need and good academic standing. The next cycle of applications for the bursaries will close on Sunday, May 7, 2023. For more information and to apply visit here.

Dufferin County initially invested $72,000 to launch the Dufferin County ECE bursaries beginning in Winter 2022 as part of its workforce development strategy, offering vital support for incoming students as well as one-time support for second year ECE students preparing to graduate this Spring. With this additional $80,000 investment, the forecasted impact of this $152,000 activation could help fund up to 71 Dufferin County sponsored ECE bursaries for Georgian students over the next three academic years.

About quality childcare and ECEs in Dufferin County

Dufferin County delivers a wide range of programs, resources, and services to support early childhood development and child care in the community, including Raising the Bar, a community initiative to promote and support early childhood educators in their continuous commitment to excellence in early learning and child care programs.

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.

About the Georgian College Early Childhood Education Diploma program

The ECE program is offered at Georgian’s Orangeville, Orillia and Owen Sound campuses. Students learn to facilitate the development of children from birth to 12 years while encouraging their feelings of self-worth and social-emotional resiliency. The program prepares students to design and implement play-based experiences, focusing on children’s interests through indoor and outdoor play opportunities. Students learn the importance of being responsive caregivers while respecting diversity, identity and the rights of children and families.

Partnerships with families, other professionals, and community programs form the foundation of working in the field of early learning and care, and field placements will provide students with the opportunity to practice their gained knowledge and skills as they engage with children and adults.

QUOTES

“Dufferin County is committed to supporting and investing in the next generation of early childhood educators and increasing diversity in the ECE sector. We are proud to announce our additional $80,000 investment to help build new and renewed capacity in the local ECE workforce, and hope these bursaries will increase accessibility for the next generation of dedicated ECEs as they pursue education and training through Georgian College’s Early Childhood Education Program.”

– Darren White, Councillor and Chair, Health and Human Services Committee, Dufferin County

“Qualified early learning and care professionals like Registered Early Childhood Educators are a vital part of high quality child care. Without a vital workforce, there is no child care. We’re committed to supporting the next generation of early childhood educators, and are proud to continue to invest in these Georgian College bursaries.”

– Lori-Jane Del Medico, Program Manager, Early Years and Child Care, Dufferin County

“Georgian College is proud to partner with Dufferin County. The County’s generosity will result in a more positive learning experience for students and ultimately grow our early learning sector of quality educators. Thank you Dufferin County for your commitment and support to students now and into the future.”

– Deb Bumstead, Georgian ECED Coordinator

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MEDIA CONTACT:
Megan Ball, Manager of Communications
mball@dufferincounty.ca