FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 17, 2026
Statement on Alberta’s Professional Development and Release Time Funding Update
Many in Alberta’s early learning and child care (ELCC) sector have seen the Government of Alberta’s recent update to professional development and release time funding, which will transition into the new Early Childhood Educator Workforce Supports Program beginning April 1, 2026.
The ministry has released several documents outlining these changes, including a fact sheet, frequently asked questions, and a draft list of approved workshops and conferences eligible for funding in the 2026/27 fiscal year.
AECEA recognizes that this announcement has raised many questions, concerns, and uncertainty for early childhood educators (ECEs), programs, and professional learning providers. These are significant changes, and it is reasonable that we seek clarity about what these changes may mean for our practice and programs moving forward.
AECEA welcomes the Ministry’s continued investment in the professional growth of educators and its efforts to strengthen core skills and develop leadership capacity. Supporting education, leadership development, and certification pathways is an important part of strengthening the early learning and child care workforce and recognizing the professionalism of those working with children every day.
At the same time, AECEA recognizes that professional development is one part of a broader conversation. Professional learning plays a critical role in supporting educators to deepen their practice and respond to the evolving needs of children, families, and communities. A strong early learning and child care sector depends on well-educated and well-supported ECEs, where educators have access to relevant and accessible learning opportunities, clear pathways for growth and advancement, and working conditions that enable them to apply their knowledge and skills in practice.
AECEA’s role is to listen to educators and the sector, gather and share information as it becomes available, and bring forward the perspectives of the workforce in conversations that shape Alberta’s early learning and child care system. Like many in the sector, we often receive information at the same time as others.
We are committed to continuing to engage with members and the broader sector to understand how these changes are being experienced in practice. This includes bringing forward considerations related to accessibility of professional learning opportunities, workforce sustainability, and system supports.
We also recognize the importance of how these conversations take place. Strong, respectful dialogue is essential to building a professional and unified sector. There are important discussions ahead about how these changes impact our practice. AECEA remains committed to supporting those conversations and to working collaboratively with government and sector partners to support educators, children, and families across Alberta.
Mary Frances Smith
Executive Director
Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA)
Documents
Letter from Education and Childcare to programs
Professional Development and Release Time Funding Fact Sheet
Approved List of Workshops and Conferences for Professional Development and Release Time Funding