If you work in regulated child care or the Pre-primary program in Nova Scotia, continuing your education can be expensive. The Early Years Continuing Education Program helps cover those costs by reimbursing part-time early childhood education (ECE) courses. The program helps strengthen the early years workforce. It also helps you build credentials without paying all costs yourself.
The Early Years Continuing Education Program offers a repayable reimbursement (money you must pay back if you don’t meet the work commitment). This means the government will pay you back for eligible course costs after you finish your part-time ECE course, but you must agree to work in Nova Scotia’s early years sector for a set time. If you do not meet this work commitment, you may have to pay the money back.
To qualify, you must meet all of the following conditions:
This program reimburses eligible expenses after you complete your course, not upfront.
Eligible reimbursements typically include:
Books, travel, and optional materials are usually not covered unless explicitly approved.
Applying for the Early Years Continuing Education Program is straightforward if you follow the timeline.
Enroll in an approved ECE course
Confirm the course and institution qualify before registering.
Complete the course successfully
You must pass the course to receive reimbursement.
Gather your documents
Submit your application within 60 days
Late applications are typically not accepted.
Agree to the work commitment
Reimbursement is tied to continuing work in Nova Scotia’s early years sector.
If you want to see other grants or education supports you might qualify for, GrantHub lists programs for early childhood educators and child care staff across Canada.
Missing the 60-day deadline
Applications submitted after 60 days from course completion are often rejected.
Taking unapproved courses
Only approved ECE courses at recognized institutions qualify for reimbursement.
Misunderstanding repayable reimbursement
Remember: if you do not meet your work commitment, you must pay the money back.
Stacking overlapping funding
You cannot receive duplicate funding from the same department for the same costs.
Q: Is the Early Years Continuing Education Program a grant or a loan?
It is a repayable reimbursement (money you must pay back if you don’t meet the work commitment). You get money back after course completion, but you may need to repay it if you do not meet your work commitment.
Q: Can I apply before I finish my course?
No. You must successfully complete the course before applying, and then submit within 60 days.
Q: Are full-time programs eligible?
No. Only part-time ECE courses at approved institutions qualify for this program.
Q: Can I combine this with other provincial education funding?
Not if the funding comes from the same department and covers the same costs. Overlapping support is not allowed.
Q: Is the reimbursement taxable?
Tax treatment can vary. It’s best to confirm with a tax advisor or the program administrator.
If you plan to continue your education while working in Nova Scotia’s early years sector, the Early Years Continuing Education Program can reduce your financial burden. GrantHub tracks hundreds of active grant and reimbursement programs across Canada—including education supports—so you can quickly see which ones match your role, province, and career goals.
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