Bruce County’s latest announcement brings welcome news for aspiring early childhood educators. Starting this September, the county will offer financial support of up to $5,000 per semester for qualified students pursuing early childhood education (ECE) diplomas.
The initiative comes as a response to the growing childcare shortage across the region, where waitlists at licensed facilities have stretched beyond 18 months in some communities. During Tuesday’s council meeting, Bruce County Warden Janice Ferguson called the funding program “an investment in our children’s future and our community’s growth.”
“We can’t build a stronger Bruce County without supporting young families, and young families need reliable childcare,” Ferguson told councilors as they unanimously approved the $1.2 million program.
The funding arrives amid Ontario’s continuing struggle to meet childcare demands. According to data from the Ministry of Education, the province needs approximately 14,000 new ECE professionals by 2026 to fulfill commitments under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement. Bruce County alone requires about 85 more qualified educators.
Sarah Thompson, director of children’s services for Bruce County, explained that financial barriers have been a significant obstacle for potential students. “We’ve heard from countless residents who want to enter this field but simply can’t afford the tuition while balancing family responsibilities,” Thompson said in an interview following the announcement. “This funding addresses that challenge directly.”
The program’s structure provides more than just tuition assistance. Recipients will receive living stipends and guaranteed practicum placements within Bruce County childcare centers. In exchange, graduates must commit to working within the county’s childcare system for at least two years following graduation.
Local childcare providers have welcomed the news. Miranda Klein, who operates Little Sprouts Daycare in Port Elgin, described the chronic staffing challenges her center has faced over the past three years. “We’ve had to reduce our capacity by nearly 30% simply because we can’t find qualified staff,” Klein explained. “This funding could be the turning point we’ve been waiting for.”
The county’s approach mirrors successful programs in other Ontario regions, including Grey County’s “Growing Our Own” initiative launched in 2023, which has already added 37 new ECEs to that region’s workforce. Bruce County officials studied these models while developing their program.
Community college partners Georgian College and Fanshawe College will collaborate with the county to streamline admission for program participants. The funding will cover students in both traditional two-year diploma programs and accelerated one-year options for those with relevant educational backgrounds.
County Councillor Mark Davis, representing Saugeen Shores, highlighted the economic benefits of the investment. “Every dollar we put into childcare returns multiple dollars to our economy through increased workforce participation,” Davis noted during council discussions. “This isn’t just social policy—it’s economic development.”
The program addresses an urgent need identified in the county’s 2024 Childcare Accessibility Report, which found that approximately 73% of families with young children in Bruce County struggle to secure consistent childcare. The shortage has forced some parents to reduce work hours or leave the workforce entirely.
Childcare advocate and parent Kelly Wong founded the Bruce County Parents for Childcare Access group after struggling to find care for her twins. “This announcement gives us hope,” Wong said. “The childcare crisis affects everyone—working parents, employers who lose valuable employees, and most importantly, our children who deserve quality early learning.”
Applications for the funding program will open July 1st, with priority given to residents of Bruce County and neighboring counties. The county expects to support up to 40 students in the first year, with potential for expansion based on program success and ongoing needs assessment.
Bruce County will host information sessions throughout June in Kincardine, Port Elgin, Walkerton, and Wiarton for interested applicants. Details about application requirements, eligibility criteria, and program specifics will be available on the county website next week.
For many local families, the initiative represents hope for an improved childcare landscape. As Ferguson concluded during the council meeting, “Today’s vote isn’t just about funding education—it’s about building the community infrastructure that keeps young families here and attracts new ones to Bruce County.”
