Non-Profit Organization Child Care Start-Up Grant
Non-profit organizations interested in opening a new licensed early childhood centre including infants and toddler-aged children in PEI are eligible to apply for this new provincial grant.
Who is Eligible to Participate?
Applicants for the Non-Profit Organization Child Care Start-Up Grant must:
- Start operation as a licensed early childhood centre with probationary Early Years Centre status within 18 months following approval of the grant.
- Ensure that the project facility is utilized for child care for at least 5 years.
- Become designated as an Early Years Centre within 18 months following the date the early childhood centre starts operation and obtains probationary Early Years Centre status.
- Ensure that infant (age 0-22 month) and toddler (age 23-36 month) spaces are created through the project
The operator of the licensed early childhood centre must also be a non-profit organization
How do I apply?
- Review the eligibility criteria in the application and on this page.
- Submit a licensing application for an early childhood centre license through the Early Learning and Child Care Board.
- You may begin your application without all requirements in place.
- Complete a Suitability Tool to include in your application.
- The suitability tool must receive a passing score from the Department review committee to be eligible for the grant.
- In your application, describe how the grant will support new construction, building purchase, fit-up, and/or the purchase of materials and equipment required for licensing or designation and collect the required documents to include with your application.
- Email or mail your application or drop off your application form to the Department of Education and Early Years with the required documents.
When is my application due?
Applications will be accepted until October 31, 2025 or until program funding is depleted.
How long will it take to process my application?
Applications will be reviewed within 3 weeks of receipt.
How does the program work?
- This grant is for non-profit organizations starting a new licensed early childhood centre.
- Applicants can receive up to a total of $200,000 through this grant. Eligible costs can include:
- 20% of project costs for new construction, building purchase and fit-up
- Materials and/or equipment required for licensing or designation
- This grant may only be applied to the building portion that will be used for child care.
- For projects that require new construction or renovations, payment of the grant will be made in two equal installments:
- 50% upon verification and approval of the project activities and completion of 50% of the Activities, verified based upon architect/engineer/contractor progress report.
- 50% following substantial completion of the construction or renovations to the point of centre operation and completion of all Activities, verified through architect/engineer/contractor progress reports, financial statement, and submission and acceptance of the final report.
- For projects that require building purchase and renovations, payment of the grant will be made in two equal installments:
- 50% upon verification (through written documentation satisfactory to the Government) of the closing of the Recipient’s building purchase.
- 50% following substantial completion of the renovations to the building to the point of centre operation and completion of all Activities, verified through architect/engineer/contractor progress reports, financial statement, and submission and acceptance of the final report.
- For projects that only require purchase of materials and equipment, the grant is subject to a hold back of 15%, to be released upon submission of a final report to the Department of Education and Early Years outlining and supporting related expenditures.
Where can I get more information?
Contact the Early Years Manager of Grants, Lisa Bernard at lcbernard@gov.pe.ca or by phone at 902-438-4843 for more information about the grant.
Application Forms
Non-Profit Organization Child Care Start-Up Grant
Completed applications can be submitted to:
Non-Profit Organization Child Care Start-Up Grant
c/o Yvette Winchester
Early Years Division
Education and Early Years
Holman Centre,
250 Water Street, Suite 101
Summerside, PE C1N 1B6
Email: ymwinchester@gov.pe.ca