Provincial Wage Enhancement
The City of Toronto administers the Provincial Wage Enhancement (PWE) program for all licensed child care in Toronto. This program helps to retain the best possible child care professionals and it helps to close the wage gap between registered Early Childhood Educators working in schools and those working in licensed child care programs.
Updates
2020 Provincial Wage Enhancement (PWE) / Home Child Care Enhancement Grant (HCCEG) funding
The Province of Ontario has confirmed that funding will continue for the 2020 PWE/HCCEG program. The City of Toronto has received the annual funding allocation and guidelines, including the new RECE threshold.
The application and guidelines for PWE/HCCEG will be available to all licensed child care centres and home child care agencies on January 13, 2020 and will be open for 45 days. All Operators will receive an email in January 2020 advising that the application is available and details for completion.
2019 Provincial Wage Enhancement (PWE) / Home Child Care Enhancement Grant (HCCEG) funding
- December 12, 2019 – The 2019 PWE/HCCEG Reconciliations will be available on January 13, 2020 and due on February 14, 2020. All operators who received 2019 PWE/HCCEG funding will receive an email in January 2020 advising that the reconciliation is available and details for completion.
- August 7, 2019 – Centres that were licensed and began operating in 2019 are eligible to apply for the 2019 Provincial Wage Enhancement.
- July 25, 2019 – The 2019 PWE/HCCEG application is now closed. Organizations will be notified in August 2019 of their application status and approved funding if applicable.
- June 24, 2019 – The Province of Ontario has confirmed that funding will continue for the 2019 PWE/HCCEG program. The City of Toronto has received the annual funding allocation and guidelines, including the new Registered Early Childhood Educator (RECE) threshold.
The application and guidelines for PWE/HCCEG will be available to all licensed child care centres and home child care agencies on June 24, 2019 and will be open for 30 days. All Operators will receive an email advising that the application will be available and details for completion.
A. Review Guidelines
Before starting the application, carefully review the 2020 Provincial Wage Enhancement Guidelines for Child Care Centres.
B. Complete Application
- Log into Online Services using your User ID and password to complete and submit the Provincial Wage Enhancement Application. For step-by-step instructions, refer to the Online Application Instructions previously emailed to all child care centres.
Note: Centres that are applying for the first time must contact Toronto Children’s Services at tcsfunding@toronto.ca for a User ID and Password. - Once the application is complete, submit online.
*Important Information for Operators Who Do Not Have a Funding Agreement With the City
Operators who do not have a funding agreement with the City of Toronto must also provide:
- A copy of your incorporation papers or business license
- A completed Direct Deposit Form
- A void blank cheque
For Direct Deposit Form, or if you have questions, please email tcsfunding@toronto.ca.
C. Submit Online Application by February 26, 2020 5:00 p.m.
All other required documentation can be emailed to tcsfunding@toronto.ca or dropped off or mailed to
Attention: Faye Jose, Director
Provincial Wage Enhancement Applications
Toronto Children’s Services
10th floor Metro Hall
55 John St
Toronto ON M5V 3C6
Provincial Home Child Care Enhancement Grant applications will be sent to home child care agencies on January 13, 2020.
A. Review Guidelines
Before starting the application, carefully review the 2020 PWE Guidelines for Home Child Care Agencies to verify that you are eligible and to ensure that you are completing the application properly.
B. Complete Application
- Complete, print and sign an original hard copy of the Application for Private Home Day Care Providers
- Complete, print and sign an original hard copy of the Application for Home Visitors, if applicable
- Sign a hard copy of the Terms & Conditions
C. Submit Application by February 26, 2020 5:00 p.m.
Your completed and signed application, the signed Terms and Conditions and any other required documentation can be dropped off or mailed to:
Attention: Faye Jose, Director
Provincial Wage Enhancement Applications
Toronto Children’s Services
10th floor Metro Hall
55 John St
Toronto ON M5V 3C6
Application Status
PWE application status letters will be available for child care centres the week of March 23, 2020.
Operators can log into Online Services using their User ID and Password and go to the PWE Grant tab and/or print the report and letter from the list.The letter indicates the status of the centre and the report shows the PWE amount, supplemental funding and administration funding that were approved per location.
For home child care agencies, letters indicating the approved PWE amount, HCCEG amount and administration funding will be mailed to the agency the week of March 23, 2020.
Payments
The PWE/HCCEG amounts noted in the approval letters have been annualized and will be distributed in three payments in 2020.
- The payment will be processed in the week of March 23, 2020.
- Any agencies that did not submit audited financial statements or a reconciliation for 2019, as required; 2020 approval and payment may be delayed.
Operators are required to distribute funds to all eligible positions / providers within 60 calendar days of receiving the payment. Please ensure your distribution policy/plan is in compliance with the current years Guidelines when distributing the funds.
If a centre closes or changes ownership in 2020, operators are required to complete and submit a distribution plan prior to payment being released. The payment amount will cover the hours worked from January 1, 2020 to the last date of operation or operation under the previous management.
Please forward any payment questions to tcsfunding@toronto.ca