Alberta Renames Child Care Grant Program and Tightens Educator Training Funding: What You Need to Know

Hook: Major Changes Coming for Child Care Grant Recipients in Alberta

On February 19, 2026, Alberta announced that its signature child care funding stream—formerly the Alberta Child Care Grant Funding Program—will be renamed the Early Childhood Educator Workforce Supports Program. Beginning April 1, 2026, new eligibility requirements for professional development (PD) funding will also come into force, which could limit which courses, workshops, and conferences educators can have funded.

This development is more than a simple name change: Alberta’s licensed child care providers and family day home agencies now face significant procedural and planning changes just as they begin to prepare for the 2026/27 grant cycle.

Context: Why Alberta’s Shift Matters Nationwide

Over the past decade, Alberta’s approach to child care funding has been an influential model, blending wage top-ups with direct PD support for early learning staff. PD funding (up to $4,387.50 per educator annually) has been a critical lever for workforce development, supporting both educator retention and progression through certification levels.

With rising attention nationally on affordable, quality child care—and ongoing provincial-federal partnerships such as the Canada-Alberta Early Learning and Child Care Agreement—changes in how Alberta structures funding and defines program eligibility set precedents that may ripple beyond its borders. Provinces are watching each other’s approaches as they negotiate and renew federal agreements.

Adding to the stakes: A 2% inflationary increase for Schedule A fees will apply to eligible programs under the one-year extension of affordability grants, but parent fees remain unchanged. Thus, program sustainability and educator support hinge more than ever on how workforce grants are managed.

Impact: How Child Care Operators and Educators Will Be Affected

For Licensed Child Care Programs & Family Day Home Agencies

• Grant Renaming Means Administrative Updates: All references and internal forms/processes will need to switch from the "Child Care Grant Funding Program" to the “Early Childhood Educator Workforce Supports Program” as of April 1, 2026.
• New PD Approval List Coming: Not all PD will remain eligible. The government is crafting a new "approved professional development" list, focused more tightly on early learning principles, certification achievement, and key quality practice skills.
• Planning Pause Recommended: The Ministry advises against booking any PD for the 2026/27 year until the approved PD list is published. If you proceed with bookings or course enrollments now, you risk not being reimbursed.

For Early Childhood Educators

• Certification Pathways Could Change: If your next career step depended on specific university courses, workshops, or conferences, you’ll need to check the finalized eligibility list before committing.
• Continued Support—but with Strings: The per-educator PD/release time amount will remain (up to $4,387.50), but how it can be used may be constrained. Some post-secondary or generalist courses may no longer qualify.
• Added Uncertainty: With details pending, educators—and their employers—will need to be flexible about training schedules and plans for 2026/27.

For Sector Nonprofits and Associations

• Advocacy Opportunity: This is a pivotal time to provide feedback on the new eligibility criteria and to reinforce the importance of broad, flexible access to quality PD as a retention and quality driver.

Action: What Child Care Leaders Should Do Now

1. Pause 2026/27 PD Bookings: Hold off on enrolling staff in 2026/27 PD activities until the provincial approved list and new funding guide are published. Ask training providers if refunds or transfers are possible if eligibility changes.
2. Review Existing Processes: Identify all forms, staff contracts, and internal policies that reference the old grant program name, and flag them for revision once the new guidelines are issued.
3. Seek Updates and Give Feedback: Follow AECEA and provincial government channels closely to receive updates. Educators and program directors are encouraged to submit input on what types of PD align with quality improvement and staff needs.
4. Start Strategic Planning: Discuss contingency plans for professional development—both in terms of budgets and educator advancement—should some training options no longer qualify.

Outlook: What Comes Next in Alberta Child Care Funding

Over the coming months, Alberta’s Ministry will publish the finalized PD eligibility list and a revised funding guide, clarifying which courses, workshops, and conferences will be recognized after April 1, 2026. Child care organizations will have a relatively short window to adapt before new agreements take effect.

Monitor provincial updates and sector association briefings closely; major implementation guidance is expected well ahead of the 2026/27 grant processing cycle.

Granted AI helps organizations monitor and plan for shifts in grant programs—so you can focus on supporting your staff and community with confidence.