Staff Replacement Grant - Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the purpose of the Staff Replacement Grant?
The Staff Replacement Grant is to cover the actual cost of replacing the workplace student in a centre or home-based facility. The purpose of this grant is to make early childhood education more accessible by supporting people who are working in Manitoba’s licensed Early Learning and Child Care system to obtain their Early Childhood Educator (ECE) classification.
- Who is eligible for the grant?
The Staff Replacement Grant is available for licensed non-profit child care centres and licensed home-based facilities to offset the cost of a substitute while an employee or the home-based licensee attends a Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Workplace Diploma Program.
- What are the requirements for a substitute to work at licensed child care facility or home?
A consistent substitute should be hired whenever possible and should have a Child Care Assistant (CCA) classification including the regulatory requirements to work in a licensed centre or home.
- What should a licensed facility or home pay for the salary of a substitute?
A consistent substitute pay must represent the approved rate that includes the maximum salary rate ($17.04 per hour) in addition of benefits to help cover costs such as Employment Insurance, Canada Pension Plan and group insurance and cannot exceed 12 per cent of salary rate. Please refer to the Early Learning and Child Care Wage Grid for more information.
- What is an Early Childhood Education (ECE) Workplace Diploma Program?
The ECE Workplace Diploma Program allows an individual to attend classes at an approved post-secondary institution while continuing their employment within a childcare environment.
- What are the post-secondary institutions approved to deliver the ECE Workplace Diploma Program?
There are currently four post-secondary institutions in Manitoba approved for the ECE Workplace Diploma Program:
Assiniboine Community College
Red River College Polytech
University College of the North
Université de Saint-Boniface - Can a licensed facility or a home base provider apply for multiple individuals for the Staff Replacement Grant?
A licensed facility or home can submit a Staff Replacement Grant application for multiple individuals at the same time with the supporting documentation for each applicant. The grant is subject to budget allocations determined by the government for the fiscal year April 1 to March 31.
- Can students attending any post-secondary institution be eligible?
Students must be enrolled in a recognized post-secondary institution that delivers the Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Workplace Diploma Program. Only four post-secondary institutions are recognized in Manitoba for the Workplace Diploma Program: RRC Polytechnic, ACC, UCN and USB.
- Can a student in the ECE Workplace Diploma Program still be eligible for other grants?
A student in the ECE Workplace Diploma Program can receive other financial support such as the ECE Tuition Reimbursement.
- Why must a student be committed to work in Manitoba for two years after completing the Workplace Diploma Program in order to receive the reimbursement?
The Manitoba government is committed to investing in the growth and stability of the early learning and child care workforce which is critical to achieving the goal of increased access to high quality child care and to strengthen the profession of Early Childhood Educators in the province.
- When is the application deadline for the Staff Replacement Grant?
An application may be submitted as soon as the student is enrolled in the Workplace Diploma Program at one of Manitoba’s recognized institutions. The grant is subject to budget allocations. Applications are processed from April 1 to March 31 of each fiscal year.
- What happens if a student withdraws from the ECE Workplace Diploma Program?
If the workplace student withdraws from the ECE Workplace Diploma Program prior to graduation or resigns from the centre / closes the home-based facility, the centre director or licensee must notify the Early Learning and Child Care Division and return the unused portion of the Staff Replacement Grant payment.
- Who can I contact for more information?
For additional inquiries, contact Early Learning and Child Care Division- Financial Accountability Branch at ELCCFinance@gov.mb.ca with the subject line “Staff Replacement Grant” - Where can I learn more about the child care sector?
A career in Early Learning and Child Care can be extremely rewarding. For more information including education and training visit: www.manitoba.ca/childcarecareers
For more information about recent investments in the early learning and child care system, visit: www.manitoba.ca/education/childcare/actionplan.html