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.
PWE funding can be provided to additional staff for the hours worked where the same staff are normally in an eligible position supporting ratio but are temporarily taking on new roles to support the health and safety requirements set out by their local public health unit and the ministry’s operational guidance, including cleaning, screening and other COVID-19 related duties.
Check the status of an application 2021 PWE application status
| 2021 Payment Schedule | Date | Group Centres & Home Child Care Agencies |
|---|---|---|
| 1st Payment (4 months of annual approved application) |
Week of April 26, 2021 | covers January to April |
| 2nd payment (4 months of annual approved application) |
July 1, 2021 | covers May to August |
| 3rd payment (4 months of annual approved application) |
September 1, 2021 | covers September to December |
IMPORTANT: As per Provincial directive, the approach to COVID-19 remains the same for 2021 that all locations must continually maximize federal financial supports, including the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS) and rent programs.
Operators are required to include all payments made to employees in respect of PWE in their CEWS applications in order to be eligible for PWE funding.
Operators must begin to pay staff their 2021 PWE within 60 calendar days of receipt of funding.
Payment must include all hours worked retroactive from January 1, 2021 to the date the payment is being made to all eligible staff.
| Activity | Open | Due | Key information |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 PWE Reconciliation | January 18, 2021 | February 15, 2021 |
|
| 2021 PWE Application – Child Care Centres | February 1, 2021 | March 19, 2021 |
|
| 2021 PWE / Home Child Care Enhancement Grant (HCCEG) Application | February 1, 2021 | March 19, 2021 |
|
Before starting the application, carefully review the 2021 Provincial Wage Enhancement Guidelines for Child Care Centres.
Important – Operators who are applying for the first time and do not have a funding agreement with the City of Toronto must also provide:
* Direct Deposit Form: please email tcsfunding@toronto.ca to receive a copy for completion
Applications must be submitted online.
Additional required documentation must be emailed to tcsfunding@toronto.ca 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
The 2021 Provincial Home Child Care Enhancement Grant applications will be emailed to the agency for the opening of the application on February 1, 2021.
Before starting the application, carefully review the 2021 Provincial Wage Enhancement Guidelines for Home Child Care Agencies to verify that you are eligible and to ensure that you are completing the application properly.
Your completed and signed application, the signed Terms and Conditions and any other required documentation can 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