Thorold, ON -  Friday, local MPP Jeff Burch met with the team at The Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) to celebrate a $149,900 Capital grant from the provincial government’s Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to enable the ECCDC to offer enhanced community learning and networking spaces.

“I am so happy to see funding go to this incredible organization. It most certainly is a welcome investment. As Niagara’s population grows, it’s very important that the ECCDC can continue to provide the proper resources to ensure our children and youth are equipped with the tools and knowledge to succeed in this ever-changing world,” said Jeff Burch, MPP for Niagara Centre.
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On Friday December 6, 2024 at 10:00 am, Niagara Centre MPP Jeff Burch will be at the Early Childhood Community Development Centre to celebrate their receipt of an Ontario government grant funded through the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) to expand community spaces at the ECCDC for individuals working within the early learning and child care sector in Niagara including an expanded resource lending library with collaborative work spaces, educator workroom with specialized equipment and training facilities to support educators in their vital role in supporting children and families in Thorold. Ontario.
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The Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC), a local charitable organization, is proud to host the 27th Annual Early Learning and Child Care Awards of Excellence on Thursday November 28 at Club Roma, St. Catharines. The annual event, emceed by Move 105.7’s Aiko Iwasita, celebrates the ongoing commitment, achievements, and dedication of dozens of early learning professionals, students, and volunteers in Niagara. More than 400 guests are expected to attend this year’s event.
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Niagara Region Children's Services New Hire Tuition Reimbursement Grant, funded through Niagara Region and coordinated by the ECCDC, was a recruitment and retention strategy to attract and retain RECEs that graduated from Niagara College’s Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Program in Spring 2023. The Early Childhood Community Development Centre (ECCDC) administered the grant by providing an online portal for applications; reviewing applications against eligibility criteria; and issuing letters of approval and funds. 25 eligible graduates who completed a minimum of 650 hours of paid employment as an RECE prior to December 31, 2023 at a licensed child care centre and/or an EarlyON Child and Family Centre with a service agreement with Niagara Region were provided up to $3,000 in funding. The Grant supported the successful applicants’ transition to a professional environment after graduation and provided an incentive to work as an RECE in the early years and child care sector within Niagara.