Early Childhood Development
You must apply for early childhood certification through the Early Learning and Child Care Board in Prince Edward Island. You can only hold 1 level of certification at a time, so when applying, please select the one that most applies to you.
What are...
You must apply for early childhood certification through the Early Learning and Child Care Board in Prince Edward Island. You can only hold 1 level of certification at a time, so when applying, please select the one that most applies to you.
What are...
If you are changing the licence category of your early learning and child care centre or adjusting the services you provide, you must apply for a modification to your existing Early Learning and Child Care Licence. You can use the online service below to...
The Early Childhood Resource team provides support to licensed Early Learning and Child Care Centres. The team works with early years supervisors and staff to develop action plans for positive curriculum results.
Staff of the Early Childhood resource...
Early learning and childcare centres are licensed through the Early Learning and Child Care Board in according to the requirements of the Early Learning and Child Care Act and Regulations.
The board also monitors and investigates complaints.
What do I...
The experiences children have early in life have a direct impact on their overall growth, development and well-being. The Province of Prince Edward Island is committed to supporting children and families in the early years.
Find an early childhood...
Early Childhood Education Grant Guidelines
April 2024
The purpose of the Early Childhood Education Grant is to provide our early childhood education workforce with the opportunity to develop and strengthen knowledge, skill base, and credentials...
Your early childhood educator certification is valid for three years from the date it is issued. To renew your certification, you must complete 45 hours of approved professional development during the three years before its expiry.
Please use the...
Born to Read is an early childhood literacy program that promotes the joy of reading to babies and toddlers.
How do parents get the free books?
Parents of newborns on Prince Edward Island are given a free Born to Read package during your regular...
What is the EDI?
The Early Development Instrument (EDI) is a Canadian-made, internationally recognized research tool developed by the Offord Centre for Child Studies at McMaster University.
It is used to measure developmental health trends and changes...
Operators of Early Years Centres or individuals who intend to operate an Early Years Centre may be eligible for funding to help with the cost of their professional business plan for business expansion planning or new child care facility planning. The...
The Government of Canada will provide Prince Edward Island with nearly $121.3 million over the next five years (2021-2026) to expand and improve upon the high quality, flexible, publicly-managed early learning and child care system. This includes a one-...
Island families need access to high-quality, affordable and reliable early learning and child care services. The Province is working strategically and incrementally to increase capacity in this sector.
There are four types of licensed early learning and...
The PEI Early Learning Framework (31.1 Mb) builds on the province’s Vision for Children which states:
Children in PEI are healthy and happy, curious and creative, playful and joyous. They are loved and respected, and are safe and secure in their...
The Early Years Centre Architectural Fee Reimbursement Grant is a one-time only grant to support architectural fees related to creation of new licensed early learning and child care spaces within new or existing infrastructure where there is a...
Early Years Centre Designation
Prince Edward Island is recognized across Canada as a leader in Early Learning and Child Care. The Government of Prince Edward Island is committed to the continued development of our successful Early Learning and Child...
Early Years Centre Designation Criteria
Revised April 2024
The Early Years Centre Expansion Capital Grant is a one-time only grant to support creation of new licensed early learning and child care spaces within new or existing infrastructure where there is a demonstrated need and where growth would include new...
The Early Years Centre Expansion Low-interest Loan Pilot Program has been designed in partnership with the Department of Education and Early Years and Finance PEI to provide applicants with the opportunity to access financing for new construction and/or...
This wage grid is in effect as of April 1, 2024.
Family Resource Centres offer programs and resources for children and families. These include parent education and support groups, parent resources, prenatal nutrition programs, drop-in play, toy-lending libraries, and outreach for smaller Island...
Tips & Tricks for Home
Learning through play is natural for children. Playtime with your child can be a relaxing time for both of you, full of fun and curiosity. Learning can be the same! When you teach through play, there are no lesson plans or...
Feasibility Study on the PEI Early Childhood Education and Care System
Prepared by Kathleen Flanagan, November 2018
Parenting support is offered across Prince Edward Island. See below for information on parenting programs that may be of interest to you.
Triple P Positive Parenting Program
This parenting program is for parents and caregivers of children from birth...
The PEI Early Learning and Child Care Registry provides parents and guardians with an easy way to search and sign up for early learning programs and child care on Prince Edward Island. To maximize your chances of accessing a program in the time frame you...
PEI Workforce Strategy Project Final Report by Kathleen Flanagan
A licence to operate an early learning and child care centre is valid for three years. Please complete the online form below to apply for Early Learning and Child Care Licence Renewal.
In Prince Edward Island, the Early Learning and Child Care Board...
Funding is available to support operational costs for licensed school-age child centres and to encourage more operators to license as a school-age child centre. These grants are intended to support school-age child care through school-age child centres,...
Providing safe, quality child care is very important. As a parent, guardian, or community member, you have the right to give feedback about child care services in Prince Edward Island. Your feedback provides an opportunity to improve the quality of early...
The Special Needs Grant supports the inclusion of children with special needs in a licensed early learning and child care setting by providing funding for additional staff.
For the purposes of this grant, a child with special needs is defined as a...
The universal pre-kindergarten program is an optional play-based program for all Island four-year-old children. There are no parent fees for the core program which offers 15 hours a week from licensed early childhood centres.
Pre-kindergarten educators...