Child Care Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement ### 📋 Eligible Entities - Licensed child-care facilities operating in Canada (provincial/territorial licensing required) - For-profit child-care operators managing licensed facilities - Non-profit child-care organizations operating licensed facilities - Co-operative child-care centers with proper licensing - Indigenous child-care service providers with recognized licensing status - Facilities must maintain active, valid licenses throughout the funding period ### 💰 Funding Details - Wage Enhancement: $6 per hour per eligible Early Childhood Educator (ECE) - Statutory Benefits: 19.25% of wage enhancement costs - Total Funding: Approximately $7.16 per hour per ECE ($6.00 + 19.25% benefits) - Repayability: Non-repayable grant (contribution model) - Matching Requirements: Facility must commit to passing wage enhancement directly to eligible ECEs - Funding Flow: Direct payment or reimbursement model (varies by program administration) ### 🛠️ Approved Expenses - Direct wage enhancement payments to front-line Early Childhood Educators ($6/hour) - Statutory benefits contributions (CPP, EI, workers' compensation, provincial health taxes) at 19.25% - Payroll processing costs directly related to wage enhancement administration - Does NOT cover: administrative salaries, facility overhead, capital improvements, or non-ECE staff wages ### ⚠️ Conditions & Milestones - ECE Qualification: Employees must hold recognized Early Childhood Educator credentials/certifications as defined by provincial requirements - Direct Payment Requirement: Wage enhancement must be paid directly to eligible ECEs; cannot be retained by facility - Eligible Hours: Payment applies to hours worked in direct child-care delivery roles only - Documentation: Maintain payroll records, ECE certifications, and facility licensing documentation - Reporting: Comply with funding body reporting and audit requirements - Compliance Timeline: Facilities must maintain eligibility status throughout funding period - No Clawback of Existing Wages: Enhancement