Do you have any questions?

The Early Childhood Work-Study Program is a specific approach to the AEC program in Early Childhood Care and Education. Its goal is simple: to fight against the labour shortage, while maintaining the quality of childcare educational services offered in the province of Quebec.

Each week, the program alternates between CEGEP courses and work, with the following objectives:

• Allowing students to put into practice the theory learned in class and thus validating the recognition of 3 or 4 acquired competencies (short-term RAC).
• Allowing employers to benefit from a part-time workforce to fill their replacement needs.
• Ensuring that students are fully compensated throughout the program.

Deployed throughout Quebec, this is a short-term training program (COUD) that favours internships in occupations prioritized by the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT). CPEs and daycare centres with a permit issued by the ministère de la Famille are eligible. They benefit from financial support to pay their students during school hours.

The Early Childhood Work-Study Program lasts 18 months in total. They are broken down as follows:

• Step 1: 49 weeks alternating between theorical courses (approximately 15 hours per week) and educational childcare work (10 to 20 hours on average). 
• Starting in the fall of 2024, a 90-hour introductory internship will be integrated into this step 1. This internship takes place in the workplace on the days scheduled for classes by the CEGEP. Many CEGEPS plan to offer a portion of the process of RAC (32 hours) in step 1 (maximum 6 hours) to assess the competency of writing in French (Francophone CEGEP) or communicating in French as a second language (Anglophone CEGEP); 
• Step 2: 12 weeks alternating between the internship (20 hours per week) and educational childcare work (10 to 20 hours on average); 
• Stage 3: 6 weeks of RAC process for 3 competencies acquired through work. 

No, the Early Childhood Work-Study Program validates the same competencies as the AEC in Early Childhood Education. It is the same study program offered in a format that allows for alternating between training and studies and includes a portion of recognition of prior learning and competencies (RAC) for 3 or 4 competencies acquired through work.

If you have any questions about the terms and conditions of participation in the Work-Study Program, you can contact Parcours'team ;

If you have questions about the admission requirements for the program, you can contact one of the participating CEGEPs: see participating CEGEPs.

There are two registration procedures depending on the candidate's situation:

• A procedure for candidates who are already employed by a CPE or an educational daycare center eligible for the program.
• A procedure for candidates who are not yet employed.

You will find both registration procedures here.

• To work in a CPE or an educational daycare registered on the Early Childhood Work-Study Program portal. If that is nor the case, you must apply for job offers.
• To be 18 or older at the time of registration.
• To be a Canadian citizen or hold a valid Canadian permanent residence permit.
• To have validated your secondary 5 or, under certain conditions, secondary 4 or 5 credits (or an equivalence outside Quebec)*.
• Have his CPR and an absence of impediment at the time of starting the program. It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure this*.

If your secondary 5 level hasn’t been validated, we invite you to contact the CEGEP in your region, which will be able to provide you with more detailed information on the admission requirements for the program: Consult the list of participating CEGEPs. CEGEPs reserve the right to invite candidates to take short tests, regardless of their level of education.

*Employers must conduct a criminal background check on candidates (absence of impediment) with the police services. This check is mandatory for working with children in Quebec. They must also ensure that candidates have completed and passed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) courses before the start of the program.

Your employer must register on the Early Childhood Work-Study portal to validate admission to the program. Only CPEs and educational daycares that are licensed by the Ministère de la Famille can register.

Family daycares, drop-in centres and school-based daycare services are not eligible.

See the steps for employers here.

You must go directly to the Find my employer page to apply for jobs posted by eligible CPE et educational daycares.

There is no limit to the number of jobs you can apply for in your area. We advise you to apply to several job offers to maximize your chances.

First, make sure you are within the scheduled recruitment dates.

During recruitment, new jobs are posted every day. We recommend that you return to the Find my employer page regularly. You can also submit an unsolicited application using the form at the bottom of this page. Your unsolicited application will be added to a database of applications sent to all educational childcare services registered on the portal.

The employer must notify you directly if your application is accepted and have you sign a proof of employment. This proof of employment relationship is mandatory to register at the CEGEP afterwards.

No. However, it is strongly recommended that you choose a college that is close to the educational childcare centre where you will be working. This makes travel time easier if you are taking face-to-face or hybrid courses.

You can also choose a CEGEP that offers online training.

We invite you to consult the page The program for candidates (step 3 of the participation steps) for all CEGEP registration details.

The college will send you an email informing you of the required documents and the procedure to follow for your registration in the program. You will need to respond by the deadline.

However, you can already prepare the following documents:

• A copy of your Canadian passport or a copy of your permanent residence card,
• A copy of your most recent transcript or diploma.

No, you cannot change programs to register in the Work-Study program, because it is specific, and you have already started your Attestation of collegial studies (AEC) in ECCE in another format than the Early Childhood Work-Study Program.

However, exceptions may occur after a study of the file and a favorable decision to a possible transfer by the CEGEP authorities. Talk to your college's academic advisor about this.

No, directors and owners of educational childcare services are not eligible for the Early Childhood Work-Study Program.

Since July 1, 2024, employees in training may be required to pay registration fees for the process of RAC (32hour), depending on the CEGEP. 

The promoter of the Pathway, CSMO-ÉSAC, covers all costs related to the validation of the 3 or 4 competencies directly with the CEGEP.

Students who successfully complete all competencies in the Early Childhood Work-Study Program will earn the Attestation of collegial studies (AEC) – Early Childhood Care and Education.

Candidates are responsible for CEGEP admission fees, registration fees as well as other related CEGEP fees (semester fees).

The amount of other related CEGEP fees varies from one college to another, but it is approximately $200 per session. However, some services may be offered by the CEGEPs to students for additional fees (such as insurance, student association).

Yes, many CEGEPs offer the online program. This means that all courses and exams are offered online. See the list of participating CEGEPs.

Courses are offered in French in many CEGEPs across Quebec. Some of them offer courses in English, depending on the cohort. See the list of participating CEGEPs.

On average, CEGEPs provide 15 hours of theory courses per week.

It should be noted that 3 hours of personal work are necessary for the educational success of the students. These hours of personal work are not paid by the employer.

These are personal hours that allow students to complete homework assignments, team or individual work, exam preparation, etc. They are essential to the educational success of each student. About 3 hours of personal work per week are required.

It should be noted that these personal work hours are not to be paid by the employer and that the latter will not be reimbursed for these hours by the project sponsor.

No. The Early Childhood Work-Study Program primarily aims to support early childhood employers in recruiting and training their entry-level staff.

More specifically, it is a national short-term program (COUD) that focuses on internships in priority occupations in an alternating work-study setting. It therefore involves an employment relationship between the employer and the participants for the duration of the training offered by the CEGEPs.

Study and work days vary from one college to another. You can find this information on the participating CEGEPs page.

Yes, colleges maintain an absence/attendance report. This report is used to calculate the monthly reimbursement of class hours to employers. Employers are reimbursed only if their employee attends class. It is strongly recommended that a time sheet be used to track work hours and study hours.

Yes, there is a gateway for graduates of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program (AEC in ECCE) to continue their education to the diploma of collegial studies ­in Early Childhood Care and Education (DEC in ECCE).

If you drop or fail a course, the CEGEP's internal procedure applies. However, you should know that the course(s) you dropped or failed will have to be retaken in a non-Work-Study Program cohort.

No, since the Early Childhood Work-Study Program is a government training program already subsidized by the Ministère du Travail, de l'Emploi et de la Solidarité sociale (MTESS). In addition, you receive full pay for your work and study hours. You are therefore not eligible for loans and bursaries.

No. During school break weeks, no classes are scheduled. However, this do not automatically entitle you to a vacation. Like all other educational childcare staff, you must have your employer's approval for time off and vacation time. Your employer may need you to fill in for a few replacements.

The program has winter and summer breaks.

They are courses provided by the CEGEP. It is an opportunity to upgrade your skills. Their necessity is determined by the college according to your academic or professional background. The employer does not have to pay for the make-up courses.

They are usually undertaken before the Early Childhood Work-Study Program begins and their successful completion is a condition of your admission to the Attestation of collegial studies (AEC) program.

Yes, if required by the CEGEP. Successful completion of the make-up courses is a condition of your admission to the Early Childhood Work-Study Program. You must successfully complete them to be admitted to the program.

No, the Early Childhood Work-Study Program covers up to 10 hours of make-up classes per student. The courses are paid directly to the college by the Early Childhood Work-Study Program sponsor.

No, you are not paid for taking the make-up courses unless you have an agreement with your employer. However, your employer will not be reimbursed for these hours.

The recognition of acquired competencies (RAC) is a process that allows adults to obtain official recognition of their skills as presented in the programs of study. 

Under the Work-Study Program, 3 or 4 competencies from the AEC (depending on the CEGEPs) are assessed through a process of RAC. Most of these competencies are acquired through work hours (10 to 20 hours each week) throughout the Program. Completing this process of RAC is mandatory to obtain the diploma. Trainees benefit from a bank of 32 hours of paid release time to carry out their RAC. These maximum 32 hours are reimbursed to the employer at the actual hourly rate of their trainees (upon presentation of the pay stub), up to $25 per hour. 

Trainees needing more than 32 hours to complete their entire process of RAC may not be compensated beyond the 32 hours covered to the employer by the Program. 

For participants who started the Early Childhood Work-Study Program before fall 2024. 

The RAC (32h) occurs at the very end of the Program (step 8 of the course schedule) after the theoretical classes and the internship.

As of fall 2024, some CEGEPs will offer a portion of the RAC (32h) at the beginning of the program. 

A first competency (for the use of French in a professional context) could be assessed by the CEGEP within the first 10 weeks of the program. It is worth noting that a maximum of 6 hours of RAC (drawn from the 32-hour bank) may be compensated to trainees during the first 10 weeks of the program to ensure enough hours remain in the bank to complete the rest of the end-of-program RAC process. The remaining RAC process must be completed at the very end of the Program (step 8 of the course schedule) after the theoretical classes and internships. 

In the context of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program, 3 or 4 competencies from the AEC (depending on the CEGEPs) are assessed through a Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC) process. A bank of 32 hours of paid release time is allocated for completing this RAC process. 

For participants who started the Early Childhood Work-Study Program before fall 2024, the competencies assessed at the end of the program through the (RAC) process (32 hours) are: 

• Providing assistance to the child; 
• Establishing an emotionally meaningful relationship with the child; 
• Communicating in the workplace. 

As of fall 2024, the competencies assessed at the end of the program through the RAC (32 hours) process are: 

• Supporting the child in the development of artistic expression; 
• Supporting the child in the development of literacy and numeracy skills; 
• Supporting the child in the development of healthy lifestyle habits (partially). 

Attention: In several CEGEPs, a portion of the RAC (32h) may begin at the beginning of the program to demonstrate an additional competency: 

• For Francophone CEGEPs: In a professional context, writing texts in French;  
• OR, for Anglophone CEGEPs: In a professional context, communicating in French as a second language. 

It is worth noting that a maximum of 6 hours of RAC (taken from the 32-hour bank) may be compensated to participants during the first 10 weeks of the program to ensure enough hours remain in the bank to complete the rest of the end-of-program RAC process. 

Participants needing more than 32 hours to complete their entire RAC process may not be compensated beyond the 32 hours covered for the employer by the Program. 

As of Fall 2024, many CEGEPs will offer a portion of the RAC process (32h) at the beginning of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program to demonstrate competency in French writing. If the CEGEP has included a part of the RAC process at the beginning of its program curriculum, individuals enrolled at that CEGEP are required to complete it. It is worth noting that a maximum of 6 hours of RAC (taken from the 32-hour bank) may be compensated to trainees during the first 10 weeks of the program to ensure enough hours remain in the bank to complete the rest of the end-of-program RAC process 

Yes. The recognition of acquired competencies is an individual process. Each case is evaluated differently based on the experience, knowledge, and needs of the person undergoing the RAC process. Thus, some individuals may require more than 32 hours to complete their entire RAC process. 

However, it has been assessed by the promoter of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program and college partners that a total of 32 hours would cover the entirety of the RAC process (3 or 4 competencies depending on the CEGEPs) planned by the Program in the vast majority of cases. 

For participants who started the Early Childhood Work-Study Program before the fall semester of 2024: 

Only one internship is planned in the program: the professional integration internship. This internship occurs after weeks of alternating between theoretical class hours and work hours (in the 50th week). The professional integration internship involves 20 internship hours each week for 12 weeks, for a maximum of 240 hours in parallel with the 10 to 20 hours of work scheduled throughout the program. Internship hours must be completed on the study days scheduled by the CEGEPs. 

Starting from the fall semester of 2024: 

At the request of participating employers, the new version of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program includes two internships. 

• The first internship: Introduction to the Profession internship (90 hours) occurs at the end of the second stage of the program, after the first 17 weeks of alternating between theoretical class hours and work hours. The Introduction to the Profession internship involves an average of 15 internship hours each week for 6 weeks, for a maximum of 90 hours in parallel with the 10 to 20 hours of work scheduled throughout the program. 
• The second internship: the professional integration internship (240 hours) occurs in step 7 of the program, after weeks of alternating between theoretical class hours and work hours (in the 50th week). The professional integration internship involves an average of 20 internship hours each week for 12 weeks in parallel with the 10 to 20 hours of work scheduled throughout the program. 

All internship hours must be completed on the study days scheduled by the CEGEPs. Employers receive financial compensation to pay for the 240 hours, or for the new version, the 330 hours (90h + 240h) of internship at the actual hourly rate of the participants (upon presentation of the pay stub), up to $25 per hour. These internships are supervised by internship agreements, sent by the CEGEPs 3 to 4 weeks before the start of each internship. Employers must sign these internship agreements and comply with all conditions. The promoter of the Program meets with employers several weeks before the start of each internship to inform them of all the required modalities. 

The employer is responsible for the health and safety of their employee in training, since the employment relationship is maintained during the study time. The study time includes theory class hours, internship hours, and Recognition of Acquired Competencies (RAC) process hours.

Yes, they have the right to do so since they are responsible for your health and safety during your study time. However, they must offer you a closed and quiet room in the work facility. If they wish to impose this, a mention must be made in the employment contract.

For any questions regarding the pension plan, please visit Régime de retraite du personnel des CPE et des garderies privées conventionnées du Québec (pension plan for CPE and private daycare staff under agreement in Quebec, website in French only) or contact them.

For any questions regarding group insurance, please visit Desjardins Life Insurance (life, health, retirement) - Group insurance or contact them.

No. Individuals admitted to a college in the Early Childhood Work-Study Program must study at said college until the end of the training.

Yes, the colleges will implement the same system of supervision as for training in the regular AEC in Early Childhood Care and Education programs.

The promoter of the Early Childhood Work-Study program: the CSMO-ÉSAC, finances teaching materials (books, textbooks, etc.) up to $ 900.00 per student for the entire duration of the program. These fees are reimbursed directly to the CÉGEP.

This is not a requirement, depending on whether or not your educational child care centre is bound by a collective agreement. However, to avoid any misunderstanding, it is strongly recommended to sign a specific and temporary employment contract (of 18 months) covering the entire training period of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program.

A model is available in the Employer Kit.

If the SGÉE is unionized, it is strongly recommended that an individual agreement be signed between the employer and the union for the terms and conditions of the Work-Study Program.

Yes, if the aboriginal educational childcare centre is registered on the portal and wishes to participate. However, you should know that the current Early Childhood Work-Study Program is organized on the basis of the common AEC program offered by different CEGEPs. It does not correspond to the program developed specifically for aboriginal early childhood education. In fact, there is already an AEC leading to the profession of aboriginal childcare worker, adapted to the traditions and pedagogy of the First Nations, with a duration of 1,455 hours and directly qualifying. Here is the link to the program.

Your employer is required to offer you an average of 10 to 20 hours of work per week.

At the end of the program, you must validate 3 competencies of the AEC acquired in the workplace. It is therefore important to have worked an average of 10 to 20 hours per week at the end of the 69 weeks of training.

No. The employment relationship must be with an employer who is eligible for the Early Childhood Work-Study Program, i.e., a CPE or a daycare licensed by the ministère de la Famille.

No. At the end of the 69 weeks of training, you will be expected to have worked an average of 10 to 20 hours per week in a childcare facility. You may work more or less hours per week depending on your availability and your employer's needs.

Normally not. Exceptionally, you could make yourself available on personal work hours to work for your employer. But these hours will have to be taken up elsewhere in the week. They are important for your educational success.

Study and work days vary from one college to another. You can consult them on the page of participating CEGEPs.

You must make yourself available to work for your employer, during working hours, unless:

• Classes are scheduled,
• Your employer has previously approved time off or vacation for you,
• You are unable to work (illness, preventative withdrawal).

Throughout the course, you are responsible for informing the school of any changes in your academic progress:

• If you are absent from a class,
• If you fail a course,
• If you decide to drop a course,
• If you need to make up a class on a scheduled work hour,
• If your CPR card expires,

or any other situation that involves the employment relationship between you and your employer.

Yes, this is at the discretion of your employer. However study time may not be paid at a higher hourly rate than work time.

Yes, the employment relationship is maintained during the entire period of study. The amount of vacation pay is based on the gross salary earned during the reference year.

Yes, because for tax purposes, during the study period, the employee in training is considered employed.

Yes, the employment relationship is maintained for the duration of the study period. The holiday pay is equal to 1/20 of the wages earned by the employee in training during the 4 full pay weeks prior to the week of the vacation. The allowance excludes overtime. (Source: CNESST)

Yes. The internship periods take place in a work-study formula, just like during class periods. Internship hours must be completed during the hours designated for classes (study days) by the CEGEP: this condition is stated in the internship agreement sent to employers by the CEGEPs before the start of each internship. Participants must continue to work an average of between 10 and 20 hours for their employer outside of internship hours. 

Yes, employees in training must continue to work at least 10 to 20 hours per week for their employer. It is even recommended to offer more hours of work according to the needs of the childcare service.

Remember that the objective of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program is that employees in training get a position of educator in the childcare service of their employer at the end of the training.

For individuals starting the program from the fall semester of 2024. 
Several CEGEPs will offer a portion of the (RAC) process (32 hours) right at the beginning of the program (stage 1) for demonstrating proficiency in French. This portion of the RAC, maximum 6 hours, will take place during the first 10 weeks of the program, alongside an average of 15 hours of classes and 10 to 20 hours of work each week. 

Your employer pays you and invests in your training.

Throughout the duration of the training, employers agree to pay their employees in training for the hours they work AND the hours they study.

Each month, the employer receives financial compensation to reimburse a large portion of the salary paid during the class hours (maximum of $25 per hour).

Yes, your employer must pay you for all study hours.

Your employer receives financial compensation to reimburse a large part of your salary ($15 per hour maximum). Please note that it is only reimbursed when you are present during your classes.

No, your employer is not required to pay you when you are absent from class. Your employer will not be compensated for the time you are not in class.

Yes, you contribute to vacation and statutory holiday pay during your work and study hours.

No, your employer is not required to pay you for your personal work hours (approximately 3 hours per week). They will not receive any financial compensation for personal work hours.

Yes, you are compensated by your employer for a maximum of 32 hours of RAC. 

The employer is then reimbursed for the wages paid during the employee's release time in the same manner as the study hours, up to a maximum of $25 per hour. 

Yes, up to a maximum of 6 hours. 

Starting from the fall semester of 2024, many CEGEPs will offer a portion of the RAC process (32h) right at the beginning of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program to demonstrate proficiency in French. A maximum of 6 hours of RAC (taken from the 32-hour bank) may be compensated to participants during the first 10 weeks of the program to ensure there are enough hours in the bank to complete the remaining RAC process at the end of the program. 

1. Financial support for the training of educators. The program reimburses you for the wages paid during the hours of study, up to a maximum of $25 per hour. At the end of the program, the maximum amount of compensation paid to the employer is $25,175 per student.
2. Immediate availability of educators in training: students in the program are immediately available to work in your educational service or an average of 10 to 20 hours per week. After 18 months of the program, your employee will be an AEC graduate, trained, competent and available full time.
3. Assistance in recruiting and training your candidates: the national communication campaign and the online portal are there to facilitate your efforts.

As an employer, you are responsible for providing full remuneration to your employees in training: for the hours they work and the hours they study each week.

The financial compensation paid to employers reimburses the salary paid to employees during training hours: theoretical courses, internships and release time for the end-of-course RAC process (32 hours).

The maximum hourly rate reimbursed is $25 per hour, for a maximum total amount of $25,175 per student.

In summary, here are the costs that remain your responsibility after payment of financial compensation for the study hours:
Hours of work worked each week in the environment;
Personal work hours;
Social benefits;
Sick hours, leave, public holidays;
Union dues;
The difference between the employee's actual hourly rate and the $25 per hour reimbursed by the program.

We have estimated the investment required by employers to train an employee as part of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program:

(975 h courses and internship + 32 h (RAC)) * hourly rate* (13.5% (mandatory schemes) + 16.5% (vacation, closure, social benefits) = 1007 *18.52*(13.5% + 16.5%) = $5,594.90 for 18 months of training spread over two financial years.
Thus, we estimate that the average investment cost for an employer is between $6,000 and $8,000 per student for 18 months.

Find all the steps for participation on the page The program for employers.

You must go to https://www.travailetudespetiteenfance.ca/en/employer/register. Have your Quebec entreprise number (NEQ), your Ministère de la Famille permit number and a description of your centre (150 words maximum) ready.

The Early Childhood Work-Study Program team will validate or deny your registration within 72 hours.

Please note that registration alone is not sufficient to recruit candidates. You must follow the steps for employer participation.

There is no maximum to the number allowed. However, as an employer, you are required to be involved for each student for the entire duration of the program. Make sure you have the necessary financial and human resources before participating. See the expected involvement from the employer.

To recruit external candidates, you must:

• Register your centre on the Early Childhood Work-Study portal (available at all times),
• Create your job offer before the planned end date of recruitment. Recruitment is done on specific dates, before the start of the CEGEP cohorts.
• Organize the selection interviews from the applications received through your job offer,
• Produce and have the successful candidate sign the proof of employment relationship following your selection interviews,
• Modify the status of the applications: Retained / Not retained, and upload the signed promise of employment in your Employer Space.

Your candidate will then be contacted by the CEGEP to apply for admission to the program.

For more information, visit The program for employers.

Yes. To make it faster, you can duplicate the job offer you made previously by just changing the cohort.

You will receive the applications for your job offer by email, at the address indicated in your employer profile. The applications are also available and can be consulted in your Employer Space, in the “My Applications” section.

As an employer, you are responsible for scheduling and organizing your candidate selection interviews.

You must register this application in the "My Applications" tab of your Employer Space, so that the file can be sent to the CEGEP.

Please note that the applicant must meet the following eligibility criteria:

• Be 18 years of age or older,
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada,
• Have completed at least their secondary 4, or the equivalent outside Quebec.

Yes, each cohort has a recruitment deadline to allow the CEGEP to constitute their cohort.

From your Employer Space, in "My job offers" you can see all the offers you have created, by cohort. By clicking on "View" you will get the link to the URL of your job offer, which you can share in your communication networks (social networks, newsletters, website).

You must modify the status of each application received in the "My Applications" tab of your Employer Space. If you choose to retain a person, you must change the status to "Retained for submission to CEGEP", if you do not wish to retain the person choose "Not retained".

When a status is set to "Retained for submission to CEGEP", you must upload the required proof of employment relationship.

Registration of internal candidates is done on specific dates before the start of the CEGEP cohorts.

You must:

• Register your educational service on the Early Childhood Work-Study portal (available at all times),
• Complete the application form for your internal candidate from your Employer Space, in "My Applications",
• Produce an employment certificate as proof of employment relationship and upload it to your Employer Space.

Your employee will then be asked by the CEGEP to apply for admission to the program.

For more information, visit The program for employers.

No. Files are sent to the college at the end of the recruitment period, 4 to 5 weeks before the start of classes. The candidates selected by the employers are then contacted to inform them of the registration procedure at the CEGEP. They must provide the documents and information requested by the college for the creation and study of their admission file. The CEGEP will then be able to validate or not their admission to the program.

The CEGEP will inform your candidates within 4 to 5 weeks before the start of the cohort. Your candidates are responsible for informing you.

You must change the status of each application received in your Employer Space in "My Applications". If you do not wish to retain a candidate, select the status "Not retained" next to their application.

Yes, you will find helpful guides and documents in the Employer Kit.

Yes, by signing the "Contrat de respect des conditions de participation" (agreement to comply with the terms of participation) , you agree to release your employees in training for:

• The theoretical classes at the CEGEP and the hours scheduled by the CEGEP for classes and internship (975 hours: a weekly average of 15 hours for classes and the initiation internship, and an average of 20 hours for the integration internship) 
• Release hours for the RAC process (32h); 

You will receive financial compensation once a month only if your participants attend their study hours. 
 

Since the Early Childhood Work-Study Program involves an employment relationship throughout the duration of the program, the employer is responsible for verifying that each successful candidate has their valid CPR card and an absence of impediment before starting the program, and throughout the duration of the program.

The financial compensation provided to employers covers the salary paid to employees during training hours: theoretical classes, internships, and release time for the RAC process (32 hours). 

The reimbursed hourly rate is the actual hourly rate of employees (upon presentation of the pay stub), up to $25 per hour. The maximum total amount reimbursed is $25,175 per person in training. 

Attention: the financial compensation does not cover: 

• The hours worked each week in the workplace; 
• Personal work hours; 
• Benefits; 
• Sick leave, vacation, holidays; 
• Union dues; 
• The difference between the effective hourly rate of the employee and the $25 per hour reimbursed by the program. 

We have estimated the investment required from employers to train an employee in the Early Childhood Work-Study Program: 

(975 hours of classes and internships + 32 hours of RAC) * hourly rate * (13.5% (mandatory benefits) + 16.5% (vacation, closure, benefits) = 1007 * 18.52 * (13.5% + 16.5%) = $5,594.90 for 18 months of training, spread over two financial years. 

Thus, we estimate that the average investment cost for an employer is between $6,000 and $8,000 per employee for 18 months of the Program. 

Before the start of the cohort, the employer must sign "Le contrat de respect des conditions de participation": an agreement to comply with the terms of participation. In order to obtain the financial compensation, the employer agrees to advance the salary of the employee in training for the duration of the program. The employer also agrees to follow the salary claim procedure each month:

• Validate and sign the draft salary expense claim sent by the Work-Study Program promoter (CSMO-ÉSAC).
• Transmit the pay stub of the employees in training corresponding to the period covered by the salary expense claim.

For all details on the financial terms and conditions, we invite you to consult the Employer Checklist available in the Employeur kit.

The Comité sectoriel de main-d'oeuvre en économie sociale et action communautaire (CSMO-ÉSAC), promoter of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program, pays the financial compensation to employers who participate in the program.

If the program is still in effect when you return to work and you wish to continue your training, you will be able to enter a new cohort according to the stage at which you had completed your studies before the maternity leave.

The student must provide a medical bill to her employer, which must specify whether the absence is related to work and classes or only to work. If the medical bill is for work only, the student can continue their studies and will be paid by the employer, who will be reimbursed by the project sponsor. If the medical ticket is for work and study, the student must interrupt their studies for the required period. Depending on the length of the absence, the student may return to the original cohort or join another cohort.

No. The Early Childhood Work-Study Program is a specific training program that involves an employment relationship throughout the training. If you leave your job, you have 30 days , you have 30 days from the date of termination to find a new employer. Otherwise, you will no longer be eligible for the Work-Study Program. However, you will be able to follow a regular Attestation of collegial studies (AEC) - ECCE program.

A maximum of two (2) changes are authorized, if applicable, throughout the duration of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program. You must inform the promotor of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program before any change: info@csmofpe.ca.

No. The Early Childhood Work-Study Program is a specific training program that involves an employment relationship throughout the training. If your employer terminates your contract, you have 30 days from the date of termination, to find a new employer. Otherwise, you will no longer be eligible for the Work-Study Program. However, you will be able to follow a regular AEC program.

Not necessarily. Your employer may choose to keep you on as an unqualified early childhood educator. They will need to produce and sign a new employment contract that is different from the Early Childhood Work-Study Program contract.

No, you do not have to reimburse your employer, even if you are dropped, disenrolled or terminated.

This practice is not encouraged but in certain specific situations it is possible to change employers after contacting the promoter of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program: info@csmofpe.ca.

A maximum of two (2) changes are authorized, if applicable, throughout the duration of the Early Childhood Work-Study Program.

In the request for a change of employer takes place during the internship period, the CÉGEP must give its agreement in advance.

No, employees on preventive withdrawal or on sick leave cannot complete the internships, as these involve performing tasks in a work environment.

For employees who started the training before the Fall 2024 cohort (AEC version 2017):

No, employees on preventive withdrawal or on sick leave cannot complete the RAC 32-hour process, as this involves performing tasks in a work environment.

For employees who started the training from the Fall 2024 cohort onwards (AEC version 2023):

Yes, employees on preventive withdrawal or on sick leave could complete the RAC 32-hour process if their medical situation permits and if admission to the RAC following the validation interview is confirmed by the CEGEP, as this does not involve performing tasks in a work environment. However, to demonstrate certain competencies, they will need access to a child, which can be a child in their environment.

The employee should contact their CEGEP and the promoter of the Program as soon as possible to validate this exceptional case.

Yes, but only the hours worked in the educational childcare services.

The course hours, the internship hours and the hours of the recognition of acquired skills (RAC) process are not cumulative in the calculation of years of relevant experience to obtain the qualification (according to the directive from Ministère de la Famille).

No, since the study hours: that is, the course hours, the internship hours and the hours of the recognition of acquired skills (RAC) process are initial training study hours. As such, they are not considered as advanced training hours or continuing education hours (according to the directive from Ministère de la Famille) and therefore do not count in the accumulation of qualification hours.

Not automatically. The ministère de la Famille's qualification scales continue to apply. For example, if you have an AEC in TEE, you must have accumulated an additional 4,992 hours of relevant experience to be recognized as a qualified educator. For all details on the qualification scales, visit https://www.mfa.gouv.qc.ca/fr/publication/Documents/Directive-qual-pers-garde.PDF.

The RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education, offered at several CEGEPs in the province of Quebec, is for adults who have been able to integrate childcare education expertise gained through experience.

The RAC process offers these individuals the opportunity to demonstrate and eventually have their childcare skills officially recognized. At the end of the process, when all the competencies have been recognized, the person obtains, as the case may be, an attestation of collegial studies (AEC) or a diploma of collegial studies (DEC) in Early Childhood Care and Education.

The idea at the heart of the RAC96 is to offer experienced early childhood education staff a favourable context to accomplish the RAC process in Early Childhood Care and Education and, thus, a facilitating path to qualification as defined by the Ministère de la Famille.

Financial support of up to 96 hours of paid time is available to the employer. The paid time allows experienced, unqualified personnel to benefit from conditions that are favourable to the completion of a RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education.

In real terms, an employer could be reimbursed by the CSMO-ÉSAC for up to 96 hours at a fixed hourly rate of $25 for each employee undergoing the RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education (equivalent to financial support of up to $2,400 per employee undergoing this process).

Ideally, yes. The idea behind RAC96 is to provide a supportive environment for experienced childcare staff to complete the RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education process and a relevant pathway to qualification.

Progressing through the RAC process during regular work hours rather than evenings and weekends helps create the right conditions for success in the process of graduation and qualification.

For example, if an employee works 32 hours per week over 4 days, the employer and the employee can agree to use paid RAC96 hours during the 5^th day.

However, if an employee works 40 hours per week, it is recommended that the employee be released and replaced on their regular work hours.

The RAC allows you to obtain a diploma equivalence: FALSE.

The RAC allows, at the end of the evaluation of the competencies of a program of study, in this case the DEC or the AEC in Early Childhood Care and Education, to recognize these competencies without having to take courses. It is not intended to recognize a degree obtained abroad.

The RAC is a shortcut to obtaining a diploma: FALSE.

It takes time and effort to begin the RAC process! The candidate will be evaluated for each competency in the program of study so that the CEGEP can establish the level of proficiency in these competencies.

It should be noted that the candidate may have to take a few courses outside of the process, or short “gap training” courses integrated into the process, in order to fill in some of the gaps, which are quite normal for people who have learned on the job. Professionals and RAC specialists within the colleges will be able to guide the person in the best possible way.

The RAC recognizes years of experience: FALSE.

It is not the candidate's experience per se that is recognized through a RAC process, but the skill integration enabled through the work or life experience. Not all of the candidate's competencies are evaluated, but those of a program of study, in this case the DEC or the AEC in Early Childhood Care and Education.

Source: Abitibi-Témiscamingue cegep

The following four criteria are required to complete the Early Childhood Care and Education RAC96 process:

• Be employed by a CPE, subsidized or unsubsidized childcare center that holds a valid license issued by the Ministère de la Famille,
• Have considerable experience in early childhood education,
• Be unqualified under the MFA directive (document in French),
• Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada, with a Quebec resident status.

For the employee:

• Individualized process that is self-paced,
• Recognition of prior learning and skills based on professional and personal experience,
• Support from the CEGEPs throughout the process,
• A free process that includes paid time to focus on the RAC process,
• Access to a qualifying diploma,
• Better salary conditions (according to the salary scale in effect),
• Improved skills and increased opportunities for advancement.

For the employer:

• Increase in the ratio of qualified personnel in its establishment,
• Increase in the value and loyalty of its workforce,
• Financial support for experienced staff during the process,
• The opportunity to set up a context favorable to the success of the process,
• Establishment of a medium and long-term turnover vision.

CEGEPs do not require a specific number of years of experience in order to integrate the RAC process in Early Childhood Care and Education, since recognition is based on the competencies acquired through the candidate's professional and personal experience. Each file submitted to the CEGEP is evaluated as a whole.

As a guideline, it is recommended to have a minimum of 2 years of full-time experience in childcare.

For more information on the process, CEGEPs organize individual or group information meetings.

Here is the list of participating CEGEPs with the contact information of the person in charge.

The information meeting on the RAC offered by the CEGEPs is intended to answer questions that candidates may have. It does not commit them to anything. In most CEGEPs, however, you must register for the meeting.

Following this meeting, each person is invited to submit an application if they wish. Each file is reviewed by a CEGEP team and the candidate is invited to an interview to determine if the process is relevant to him or her now or in the future.

The Cegep continuing education site is a good tool to learn more about the RAC. There is also a Frequently Asked Questions section to answer your many concerns about the necessary experience to undertake the RAC process.

Many CEGEPs require a Secondary 4 or 5 level of education to be admitted to the RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education.

However, each personal and professional pathway is unique, and the skills acquired through this pathway are specific to each person.

Attending an information session on the RAC offered by a CEGEP allows you to ask questions and make an informed decision based on the information received.

This depends on the number of hours accumulated by the employee.

As defined in the Directive concernant l’évaluation de la qualification (assessment of qualification, document in French), the number of hours required to be recognized as qualified is 4,992 hours of relevant experience recognized for qualification purposes.

If the employee has the required number of hours of work and an RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education, obtained in this case through the completion of a RAC process, he or she will be considered qualified.

Yes, the competencies recognized following a RAC process are exactly the same as those to be mastered after having taken the courses of the program of study. Therefore, whether you successfully complete the courses or the RAC process, the diploma obtained is exactly the same.

Yes, the DEC in Early Childhood Care and Education is eligible for RAC96. However, the RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education obtained through the RAC process is favored by RAC96 project to quickly reach the diploma and qualification.

The question of the DEC in Early Childhood Care and Education must be well thought out by the person who commits to this process. The RAC process for the DEC requires a much greater investment of time than that required for the AEC. It includes general education (French, philosophy, English, physical education) and the 22 competencies required by the program.

Yes, they are considered for the RAC process, but not recognized for the purposes of qualification by the Ministère de la Famille. The RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education is an evaluation process of the competencies of the program of study, regardless of the context in which the competencies were acquired.

It is important to remember that in order to qualify for RAC96, the candidate must be employed by a CPE, a subsidized or non-subsidized daycare centre that holds a valid permit issued by the Ministère de la Famille.

The RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education process involves various assessment or coaching activities, homework, online interviews, observation in the community and occasionally, attendance at the CEGEP.

Few CEGEPs offer an entirely distance-based approach. Many others have a hybrid approach. It is best to contact the CEGEP of your choice for more information (list of participating CEGEPs).

Yes, but few CEGEPs offer the recognition of acquired competencies process in English. To do so, make sure you select an English-language CEGEP from the list of participating CEGEPs.

For the employee:

1. Attend a mandatory information session offered in a CEGEP.
2. Submit an application to the CEGEP, if applicable, and complete a self-assessment of your skills.
3. Ask your employer to register you on the RAC96 portal.
4. Participate in the validation interview with the CEGEP content specialists,
5. Be officially accepted into the RAC process in Early Childhood Care and Education after validation of the file, if applicable.
6. Plan release times with your employer by using the provided schedule, a tool made available to SGÉEs (educational childcare services) without any obligation to use it.
7. Carry out the competency assessment activities required by the RAC process in Early Childhood Care and Education.

For the employer:

1. Inform their centre’s experienced staff of the RAC96.
2. Invite interested employees to participate in an information session at a CEGEP (document in French).
3. Register the employees who have submitted a CEGEP application on the RAC96 portal.
4. Read, sign and transmit the contract and supporting documents to the CSMO-ÉSAC via the transmission form (in French).
5. Plan and provide paid time to the employee, ideally during regular working hours, to focus in the RAC process in Early Childhood Care and Education (provided schedule).
6. Support and encourage the employee in his or her process while providing the conditions for success.
7. Claim paid hours by completing and transmitting, via the transmission form (in French), the claim form and the pay stubs for the period covered.

Since this RAC process is individual and follows the pace of the candidate, the time required to complete it may vary from one person to another. It can take from 6 to 18 months to complete the RAC process leading to an attestation of collegial studies (AEC) in Early Childhood Care and Education.

RAC96 allows for the establishment of a context favourable to the completion of the RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education process, notably through the allocation of paid time during regular working hours. However, it is very likely that 96 hours is not enough to complete the entire RAC process in Early Childhood Care and Education.

Yes. Experienced SGÉE (educational childcare service) personnel who wish to undertake a RAC process must attend an information session at the CEGEP of their choice.

This first contact is an important step. It is the gateway to the RAC process. It allows them to gather information about the process, ask questions and make an informed decision as to whether or not to pursue the process. The transmission of accurate and relevant information at the beginning of the process contributes to the quickest possible achievement of personal and professional objectives for each individual. Attendance at this meeting is not binding.

Yes, the information session and the RAC process must take place at the same college.

A person could attend two information sessions before making a choice. However, it is very important to submit only one application. Submitting a file to several CEGEPs creates dysfunctions in the systems that hinder or delay the process. The CEGEPs work together and can, if necessary, refer the applicant to another college.

To choose your CEGEP and your information session

The choice of CEGEP should be made in relation to the individual's needs, which can be varied (location, transmission and communication methods used by the college for the RAC, etc.). Since travel will most likely be required, it is advisable to register with your regional CEGEP.

It is important to note that the recognition of acquired competencies process is the same in all CEGEPs and is based on the same evaluation tools.

All CEGEPs are responsible for accompanying candidates and evaluating their skills fairly and equitably. They have teams trained for this purpose. Only the communication and evaluation procedures may differ from one CEGEP to another.

To choose your CEGEP and your information session

• Birth certificate – large format of the Civil Status (colour copy),
• Detailed resume that includes a description of the tasks performed in your work settings,
• Transcripts from high school, college or other, if applicable,
• Evidence of customized in-house trainings, if applicable,
• Letter from your current employer attesting to your employment relationship and the number of hours worked,
• Copy of the First Aid and CPR card,
• Document to support the self-assessment of competencies, given by the CEGEP at the appropriate time to be completed by the candidate.

The validation interview takes the form of an exchange between the CEGEP's specialized personnel and the candidate, in this case the SGÉE (educational childcare service) employee. It is framed by defined guidelines and is intended to establish a status report on the level of proficiency in competencies related to the program of study.

The validation interview is in addition to the candidate's self-assessment and confirms, or not, the relevance of undertaking a RAC process. The CEGEP's specialized staff then makes a recommendation as to whether the candidate will be evaluated for all or part of the program's competencies or whether it is recommended that he or she take the entire program.

Various assessment activities are offered to candidates to enable trained content specialists to assess the competencies of the AEC in Early Childhood Care and Education (see next question for details).

Some competencies of the same nature are grouped together so as not to make the course unnecessarily cumbersome. As part of these evaluation activities, the candidate will have to demonstrate his or her competencies through various means: tasks in the workplace during which he or she will be observed, personal work, interviews with the content specialist, readings, etc.

The candidate may be offered short training gaps when deficiencies are identified. These short courses may take a variety of forms, to be determined on a case-by-case basis. Following the missing training, the person is assessed again.

Cluster A: Meeting the child’s basic needs

• Acting safely in the workplace
• Intervening with respect to the child’s health
• Ensuring a healthy diet for the child

Cluster B1: Analysing the child’s needs

• Observing the child’s behavior
• Situating the needs of a child in relation to their overall development

Cluster B2: Addressing the analysed needs

• Establishing an emotionally meaningful relationship with children
• Communication in the workplace
• Providing assistance to the child
• Intervening in relation to the behaviour of the child and group of children

Cluster C: Planning and conducting educational activities

• Designing activities for the overall development of the child
• Organising educational activities
• Leading educational activities

Cluster D: Ensuring follow-up in a professional intervention context

• Analysing the specific needs of a child
• Establishing a partnership with parents and resource persons

• Analysing the work function
• Identifying the pedagogical model and approach to adopt in an educational childcare centre

Yes. The individual must notify the CEGEP of their desire to add the RAC96 to their file. They must also notify their employer so that they can register them on the portal.

However, reimbursement for time spent on the RAC before May 2, 2022, is not retroactive. Reimbursement for paid time will begin once the employer has registered the employee on the portal.

Yes. The applicant must notify the college and the employer so that the employer can indicate this in the applicant's file. A break necessarily means that claims and payments for paid time spent on the RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education process will stop.

It is important to know that RAC96 ends on June 30, 2024. This does not mean that the employee must have completed the RAC process by that date. However, it does mean that this date marks the end of the granting of compensated hours reimbursable by the CSMO-ÉSAC.

The candidate may decide to stop the RAC process. They must notify the CEGEP and their employer so that the latter can terminate the contract (RAC96) between them and the CSMO-ÉSAC.

This necessarily implies the cessation of claims and payments for paid hours reimbursable by the CSMO-ÉSAC.

Yes, absolutely. The RAC in Early Childhood Care and Education is an individual process that the SGÉE (educational childcare service) employee carries out at their own pace.

However, it is recommended that the CEGEP be advised of this pause and that it be taken into account in the provided schedule for the RAC96 process.

Yes. Any SGÉE employee can register for the RAC96. They must first attend an information session and submit an application to a CEGEP. It is then up to the college to validate or not the application with regard to the expected competencies in Early Childhood Care and Education.

However, certain criteria may be required. For example: having recent relevant experience as a childcare worker, sometimes acting as a teacher when there is a replacement or lack of personnel, maintaining the ratio required by the MFA of 2 qualified childcare workers out of three.

The RAC96 provides the employer with a maximum of 96 hours at a fixed rate of $25 per employee in the RAC process in Early Childhood Care and Education.

This financial support allows the employer to offer paid time to its employee, ideally during regular working hours, to advance the RAC process. The employer must pay the employee at their regular hourly rate.

To assist the employer and employee in scheduling and tracking the time spent on the RAC process, a tool has been developed: provided schedule for the RAC96 process.

It is the employer who allocates time and pays for the time spent by the employee in the RAC process.

The employer must then make a claim to the CSMO-ÉSAC to obtain reimbursement for said paid time.

No. The employer must pay the employee at their regular hourly rate.

Example 1: An employee has an hourly rate of $28/hour. The employer receives financial support from RAC96 at $25/hr. The employer must pay the missing portion ($3).

Example 2: An employee has an hourly rate of $23/hour. The employer receives financial support from RAC96 at $25/hour. The employer still pays the employee at his usual hourly rate of $23.

We invite you to consult the guide to administrative procedures.

Benefits, group insurance, private pension plan, sick leave and vacation are at the expense of the employer, which vary according to the collective agreement or the internal policies of the environment.

The financial support provided by RAC96 is fixed, i.e. a maximum of 96 hours at an hourly rate of $25 for a maximum possible of $2,400 per employee.