The Nova Scotia Excellence in Early Childhood Education Workforce Strategy, will result in higher wages for early childhood educators as well as benefits and further professionalization of the sector.

Read the full Excellence in Early Childhood Education workforce strategy. English Français

We are committed to supporting the childcare sector with higher wages through the Canada-Wide Agreement.

Learn more here.

Opportunities for ECEs working in the sector to upskill

Accelerated ECE diploma (with PLAR) - Program in progress
Status: Program in progress

For ECEs currently working in licensed child care or Pre-primary to earn a diploma in a shortened timeframe.

  • Tuition, books, and student fees funded by EECD.
  • Work while studying; courses are online and happen outside of work hours.
  • Practicums completed at workplace – no need to take time off to complete practicum.
Learn more
Africentric Accelerated ECE diploma (with PLAR) - Program in progress
Status: Program in progress

For ECEs currently working in licensed child care or Pre-primary, that identify as African Nova Scotian or Black, to earn a diploma in a shortened timeframe.

  • Tuition, books, and student fees funded by EECD.
  • Work while studying; courses are online and happen outside of work hours.
  • Practicums completed at workplace – no need to take time off to complete practicum.
  • Post-secondary institutions assess your current knowledge and skills and give credit for your competencies. This rigorous process is called Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and allows ECEs to take fewer courses to obtain a diploma.

NSCC January 2025

Learn more
Francophone ECE diploma (with PLAR) - Accepting Applications
Status: Accepting Applications

For ECEs currently working in Acadian/francophone licensed child care or Pre-primary to earn a diploma.

  • Tuition, books, and student fees funded by EECD.
  • Work while studying; courses are online and accommodate your work schedule.
  • Practicums completed at workplace – no need to take time off to complete practicum.
  • Université Sainte-Anne assesses your current knowledge and skills and gives credit for your competencies. This rigorous process is called Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and allows ECEs to take fewer courses to obtain a diploma.

Université Sainte-Anne 2025

Mi’kmaw Accelerated ECE diploma (with PLAR) - Program in progress
Status: Program in progress

For ECEs currently working in licensed child care or Pre-primary, that identify as Mi’kmaw or Indigenous, to earn a diploma in a shortened timeframe.

  • Tuition, books, and student fees funded by EECD.
  • Work while studying; courses are online and happen outside of work hours.
  • Practicums completed at workplace – no need to take time off to complete practicum.
  • Post-secondary institutions assess your current knowledge and skills and give credit for your competencies. This rigorous process is called Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and allows ECEs to take fewer courses to obtain a diploma.

NSCC September 2024

Learn more
Continuing education funding program - Accepting Applications
Status: Accepting Applications

Course and textbook reimbursements available to eligible child care staff pursuing part-time studies in a diploma or degree in early childhood education while working full- or part-time.

  • Must apply for reimbursement within 60 days of completing course(s).
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Early Years Professional Learning

To promote and support a culture of continuous professional growth and lifelong learning, Early Years Professional Learning provides high quality e-learning courses aligned with department programs and priorities.

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Leadership Training for Administrators

The program is designed for child care centre directors, and early childhood educators (ECEs) aspiring to become directors, who wish to develop the knowledge, skill and competence in the essential elements of administering and managing early learning and child care programs.

Modules focus on core administrative competencies of leadership such as: Management and leadership, pedagogical leadership, managerial communication, computer applications, financial management, marketing, strategic planning,  risk management, policy development, collaboration and mentoring practices, program/curriculum evaluation.

The following training institutions are recognized to deliver leadership training for early childhood educators in Nova Scotia:

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program

Funding available for staff currently working in licensed child care with at least 6500 hours of experience to complete the RPL process. Successful candidates are eligible for a Level 2 classification.

  • EECD funding available to first 40 applicants in 2025–2026 fiscal year.
  • RPL identifies, documents, assesses, and recognizes existing skills and knowledge towards the achievement of units of competency for various qualifications, certifications, or accredited courses.
Learn more

Opportunities for individuals who want to enter the ECE profession

Bursaries for Acadian/francophone students - Accepting Applications
Status: Accepting Applications

Bursaries available for students enrolled at Université Sainte-Anne in 2025–26.
 

Full-time studies to achieve a Level 2 Classification:

  • Bursaries of up to $10,000 paid over the course of an early childhood education diploma program.
  • Students must remain in good academic standing. 
  • Students must be a permanent resident of Nova Scotia (temporary foreign workers, international students, or any other person in Canada on a temporary resident visa do not qualify). 
  • Students who are new or recently joined the sector.

Part-time studies to achieve a Level 1 Classification:

  • Bursaries of up to $2,050 paid over the course of an early childhood education diploma program for ECEs working in the sector.
  • Students must remain in good academic standing.
  • Students must be a permanent resident of Nova Scotia (temporary foreign workers, international students, or any other person in Canada on a temporary resident visa do not qualify). 

Payments will be issued to the training institution on behalf of successful applicants over the duration of their study program. The training institution will apply the bursary to each successful student’s account.

The following students are not eligible to apply:

  • Students currently enrolled in an ECE diploma already funded by EECD.
  • Students who are currently receiving other EECD funding (e.g., staff receiving Continuing Education Program reimbursement funding for part-time studies).

Apply directly through Université Sainte-Anne: Études Collégiales, Éducation à la petite enfance
 

Bursaries for full-time students - Accepting Applications
Status: Accepting Applications

For students enrolled in full-time studies at approved Nova Scotia post-secondary institutions in 2025–26.

  • Bursaries of up to $5000 paid over the course of an early childhood education diploma program.
  • Students must be studying full-time and remain in good academic standing. 
  • Students must be a permanent resident of Nova Scotia (temporary foreign workers, international students, or any other person in Canada on a temporary resident visa do not qualify). 
  • Ask your post-secondary institution for a copy of the bursary terms and conditions and apply directly through your institution:
  • Payments will be issued to the training institution on behalf of successful applicants in the fall and winter semesters. Training institution will apply the bursary to each successful student’s account.
  • Priority for funding will be given to students from equity deserving groups.
  • Bursaries are also available to full-time students in the Bachelor of Applied Arts in Child and Youth Study at MSVU. Contact MSVU’s Department of Child and Youth Study for details.
  • The following students are not eligible to apply:
    • Students currently enrolled in an ECE diploma already funded by EECD.
    • Students who are currently receiving other EECD funding (e.g., staff receiving Continuing Education Program reimbursement funding for part-time studies).
ECE Virtual Diploma Program - Program in progress
Status: Program in progress

Full-time, two-year diploma program for applicants living and planning to work as an ECE in hard-to-recruit areas.

  • Tuition, books, and student fees funded by EECD.
  • Study online with scheduled class times during daytime hours.

Designated areas will be prioritized for admission. Designated Areas:

  • Northern (Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough Counties)
  • South Shore (Lunenburg and Queens Counties)
  • Western Cape Breton (Inverness, Victoria & Richmond Counties).
Learn more
High school transition to ECE diplomas

Over the next few years, EECD will work with our partners in public schools and post-secondary institutions to offer high school students career counselling and college credit courses in early childhood education. This work is expected to be complete by 2025.

Pathway program for newcomers (work and learn ECE diploma) - Program in progress
Status: Program in progress

Working with the Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia (ISANS), the Nova Scotia Community College, and the Nova Scotia College of Early Childhood Education, EECD is launching a pathway program to support newcomers to enter the profession.

  • Newcomers gain employment in a licensed child care or pre-primary program while earning their diploma through part-time online studies.
  • Tuition, books, student fees, and language training funded by EECD.
Learn more