Professional Development (PD) funding is a financial support system designed to assist Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and other eligible courses in Alberta in enhancing their skills and advancing their careers. This funding enables ECEs to pursue further training and professional development opportunities, leading to higher levels of certification and strengthened competencies in leadership, management, administration, and early childhood education.  

Eligibility Criteria 

To be eligible for PD funding, ECEs must meet the following requirements: 

• Employment Status: Be a paid employee or a contracted family day home educator of a licensed childcare program. 

• Certification: Hold a certification as an Early Childhood Educator Level 1, 2, or 3. 

• Citizenship: Be a Canadian citizen or an official Permanent Resident of Canada. 

• Work Hours: Have worked at least 29 hours in at least one month from the date of the expenditure or the date the application was received. 

Funding Amounts 

The PD Funding program provides financial assistance for various professional development activities: 

• Workshops and Conferences: Up to $500 per year. 

• Post-Secondary Coursework and Workbooks: Up to $1,500 per year. 

This totals a maximum available funding of $2,000 per year for eligible ECEs.  

By taking advantage of PD funding, Early Childhood Educators in Alberta can enhance their professional skills, ultimately contributing to higher-quality early learning and childcare environments. For more guidance and support, educators can also connect with Train Alberta to explore additional training opportunities.