The province has announced new measures to help address increased recruitment and retention of early childhood educators.

An Early Childhood Educator Recruitment and Retention Grant will provide funding to recruit and retain Level I through IV ECEs to become certified and work in regulated child care services.

The grant, retroactive to September 1st, replaces the a former bursary program which comes to an end June 30 of 2024.

ECEs who meet the eligibility criteria will get $2,500 on certification and further grants of $2,500—up to a total of $7,500—will be awarded following each three-year certification renewal.

Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell says the entire process will be handled by the Association of Early Childhood Educators.

She says they will assess and process all of the applications on behalf of the Education Department.

Anyone who wants to apply for available grants can do so by messaging the association ecebursary@aecenl.ca or by calling 726-3044.