Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program

Employee Criteria

Eligible ECEs must:

• be a resident of the Columbia Basin Trust region
• hold a valid Early Childhood Educator, Infant and Toddler Educator, and/or Special Needs Educator certificate issued by the BC ECE Registry
• be in good standing with the BC ECE Registry
• be employed or self-employed on a full-time, part-time or casual basis by an eligible licensed child care facility

Employer Criteria

Eligible employers must:

• be a licensed child care facility (eligible designations listed below) in good standing with the Ministry of Education and Child Care
• be in good standing with the BC Corporate Registry (if the Employer is a non-profit society or registered business)
• be located in the Columbia Basin Trust region
• have a WorkSafeBC account in good standing (WorkSafeBC coverage is required for all Employers with employees and is recommended for Employers that do not have employees)
• be receiving a wage subsidy of at least $2/hour from a source other than the Trust; and
• continue paying ECEs their previously received wage, plus the $2 wage subsidy, to enhance the ECE’s existing wage

Eligible Applicants include non-profit and for-profit providers of licensed child care in the Basin region with the following designations:

• Group Child Care
• Multi-Age Child Care
• Preschools
• In-Home Multi-Age Child Care

Facilities designated as Family Child Care, School Age Child Care, Occasional Child Care, Registered License-Not-Required Care, License-Not-Required Care and In-Child’s-Own-Home Care are not eligible.

Please refer to the Childcare BC Webpage for clarification on licensing designations.

• Download and review the Program Guide.
• Use the worksheet to develop your application offline if you so choose.
• Use our online form to apply.

If you have any questions about the application process, please contact ecewagesubsidy@ourtrust.pathwisedev.ca or 1-877.489.2687 ext.3689

Applications will be considered on a first-received, first-served basis until all funds are dispersed. Employers seeking to have wages subsidized in 2023 should contact the Program Coordinator directly for current program deadlines.

Contact us at 1.877.489.2687 ext. 3689 or email ecewagesubsidy@ourtrust.pathwisedev.ca to explore eligibility.