SOUTHEAST SASK. — Southeast College announced on Tuesday that it has secured $1.68 million in funding for its Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs for the 2024-26 period. This substantial financial support will benefit both full-time and part-time ECE programs across several campuses, including Estevan, Kahkewistahaw First Nation, Cowessess First Nation (full-time), and Weyburn, Indian Head, Moosomin, and Assiniboia (part-time).
The funding aims to provide free training at Levels I, II, and III for domestic students, covering all costs, including tuition, books, and materials. Up to 211 students can take advantage of this opportunity, which is expected to significantly boost the number of qualified early childhood educators in Saskatchewan.
Interim president and CEO Jody Holzmiller expressed her enthusiasm for the funding, stating, “This two-year funding agreement is a tremendous support. It allows students to pursue their diplomas without the burden of tuition fees. The funding, combined with our delivery model that lets students remain employed while studying, is a win-win for both students and early learning centers in the southeast region.”
The college emphasized the importance of providing free access to ECE training, highlighting that it removes financial barriers for students and makes it easier for individuals to enter and advance in this crucial field. This initiative also helps address the shortage of qualified early childhood educators in the province.
Holzmiller further underscored the significance of the funding, saying, “This investment not only reinforces our commitment to early education but also demonstrates our dedication to the families and workforce in southeast Saskatchewan. It is a vital step toward improving the quality of early childhood education and ensuring our communities have access to well-trained professionals.”
This funding is part of a broader $1.1 billion investment under the Canada-Saskatchewan Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement for 2021-22 to 2025-26. The federal and provincial governments have committed to creating 28,000 regulated childcare spaces and offering $10 per day childcare for families. The funding, provided by the Ministry of Education of Saskatchewan, falls under the quality pillar of the agreement and is intended to recruit and retain qualified early childhood educators to support developmentally appropriate programming in regulated childcare facilities.