How ECEs Can Enhance Education Access through Wealthsimple Foundation
Anisha Grossett • December 18, 2023
Wealthsimple Foundation
is on a meaningful mission to make post-secondary education more affordable and inclusive for all. We know you've got questions, so read on to discover everything educators need to know about how WSF enhances education access in Canada.
Tell us about Wealthsimple Foundation and the work you do:
At Wealthsimple Foundation, our mission is to break down the barriers to education for everyone living in Canada. We do this in three ways: education savings promotion, accessible personal finance education, and bursary programs for modest- income students. We believe that everyone deserves access to education, regardless of background or income level.
What types of programs do you offer, and who do they help?
We design our programs with simplicity and impact in mind. They include:
1. Education Savings Promotion: This includes helping families access government grants, specifically the Canada Learning Bond,
a $500 - $2000 per child benefit, and open Registered Education Savings Plans (RESPs).
2. Financial Literacy: Delivered in partnership with community organizations across Canada.
3. Bursaries: Low-barrier bursaries for modest-income students.
4. Career Support: Innovative future-focused programming for young people.
What work has WSF completed or on a mission to complete for the education community?
Wealthsimple Foundation is committed to making post-secondary education accessible for all. To date, we have helped over 12,000 people across Canada access $7M in Canada Learning Bond payments - a $500 - $2000 contribution free benefit that ~⅔ of young people are eligible for - helped 4,863 people access personal finance education through community partners, and provided $136,000 in bursary funding to students to help them attend post-secondary.
What is Financial Literacy Month?
Financial Literacy Month is a dedicated period to shine a spotlight on the importance of financial literacy. It’s a time for organizations, educators, and financial experts to come together, share resources, and educate the public on how to achieve financial well-being.
Why is financial literacy critical? How does it connect to early childhood education?
Financial literacy is foundational—it equips individuals with the skills to make smart financial decisions, paving the way for a stable and secure future.
For early childhood educators, it’s about planting the seeds of financial awareness that can lead to well-informed financial decisions in adulthood.
We also believe that when educators are financially empowered, this extends to the children, families, and communities they serve.
Early childhood educators play a key role in our communities by shaping young minds and connecting families with the tools and resources they need. Imagine ECEs equipped with robust financial education—this knowledge doesn’t just stay within the walls of the classroom. It has a positive ripple effect, extending into their communities. Through their interactions, ECEs can weave financial literacy into everyday learning. They are in a powerful position to impact generations, turning lessons into legacies.
What tools and resources do you have for early childhood educators?***
1.
RESP calculator:
Our
online tool
helps families figure out how much they could save and earn for their education goals.
2.
Website resources:
We provide a wealth of information on our
website, including guides on opening a RESP, understanding government grants, and a number of financial know-hows.
3.
1:1 RESP onboarding support:
Our team is available to answer any questions you may have about
opening an RESP
for your own family or your students' families.
4.
Host events in their community:
We can work with early childhood educators to host financial literacy events in their communities, helping parents and caregivers understand the importance of saving for post-secondary education.
How can early educators get involved to support families and children?
Early educators hold a special key to unlocking a brighter future for families and children, and there are several impactful ways they can get involved:
1.
Get to know the education savings incentives available,
like the Canada Learning Bond (CLB), a $500-$2000 benefit for modest-income families to kickstart their children’s post-secondary education savings without personal contributions.
2.
Share the knowledge:
With as little as $500 saved, students are 3X more likely to pursue higher education and 4X more likely to graduate.
3. We invite you to connect with us through the ECE Hub on Facebook.
You can join the
ECE Hub on Facebook and reach out to Gina or Emily for personalized guidance on making informed decisions to support your children and communities.
4.
Keep an eye out for our upcoming workshops and training to further your impact.
Stay engaged with our community through our social channels and newsletter for updates on upcoming
events, financial education content, and more.
Interested in finding out how you can contribute to improving education for everyone? Join the
ECE Hub
on Facebook and connect with Gina or Emily from the Wealthsimple Foundation!
Why ECE Appreciation Starts With Connection Every day, early childhood educators shape the future. Through comforting hugs, meaningful conversations, learning experiences, advocacy, creativity, and care, ECE professionals help children build confidence, belonging, identity, and lifelong foundations for learning. Yet behind the incredible work happening in classrooms, programs, and communities, many educators still experience something that often goes unspoken: isolation. That’s why community matters. As we celebrate Early Childhood Educators' Day and ECE Appreciation, we believe this is more than a moment to recognize educators for what they do — it’s also a time to reflect on how we support them while they do it. Because educators deserve community too. Community Changes Everything In early childhood education, community is powerful. It reminds educators they are not alone in their challenges, ideas, dreams, or experiences. It creates spaces where professionals can collaborate, grow, ask questions, feel seen, and be inspired by one another. Strong communities in ECE can: Reduce feelings of burnout and isolation Encourage innovation and leadership Create opportunities for mentorship and collaboration Support educator wellness and confidence Help professionals feel valued and understood Build stronger programs and stronger outcomes for children and families When educators feel connected, supported, and empowered, entire communities benefit. And the truth is — many educators are looking for more than professional development. They are looking for belonging. The Importance of Finding Your Community Not every community looks the same. For some educators, community is a team within their centre. For others, it’s a mentor, an online network, a professional membership, or a safe space where they can openly discuss the realities of the field. Finding your community means finding people who: Understand the work you do Celebrate your wins Support you through challenges Encourage your growth Inspire you to lead, create, and advocate Community reminds us that we don’t have to navigate this field alone. As educators, leaders, entrepreneurs, and advocates, we grow stronger when we grow together. What Does It Mean to Be a Community Member? Being part of a community is not just about joining a group — it’s about contributing to a culture of support, encouragement, and connection. Great community members: Show up authentically Share ideas and resources Encourage others Listen with empathy Celebrate fellow educators Stay open to learning Create welcoming spaces for others You don’t need a title to make an impact in your community. Sometimes leadership looks like: Checking in on another educator Sharing a helpful resource Encouraging someone who feels discouraged Starting meaningful conversations Creating spaces where others feel included Leadership in ECE begins with connection. Building the Future of Community in ECE At The Early Childhood Coach, we have always believed that educators deserve more than occasional inspiration — they deserve ongoing connection, collaboration, and support. That belief is exactly why we are building the ECC Community Hub. The ECC Community Hub is being designed as a space where early childhood professionals can: Connect with like-minded educators Access professional growth opportunities Join meaningful conversations Build relationships and collaborations Feel supported in both life and career Grow as educators, entrepreneurs, and leaders More than anything, we want this to feel like a true community built for the ECE field. A place where educators can feel empowered, inspired, connected, and celebrated. Reflective Questions for Educators Take a moment to reflect on your own journey within the ECE community: What does community mean to you as an educator? When have you felt the most supported in this field? What kind of community are you currently looking for? How do you currently contribute to the ECE community around you? What would change if you felt more connected professionally and personally? In what ways can you become a stronger community leader? How can you help create spaces where others feel welcomed and valued? What kind of impact do you want to have within the ECE field? You Belong Here ECE Appreciation is not only about recognizing the work educators do. It’s about reminding educators that they matter too. Your voice matters. Your experiences matter. Your leadership matters. And you deserve to be part of a community that pours back into you. As we continue building spaces for connection within the field, we invite you to grow with us. Learn more about the ECC Community Hub Explore the ECC Community Hub here !
As summer winds down and a new program year approaches, many early childhood educators find themselves making lists, reorganizing materials, labeling bins, and preparing for a new group of students. Don’t get me wrong, all these things are important. They create an environment where children can thrive. But before your students come through the door, it’s worth checking in with yourself. How are you preparing yourself? Remember, it’s a new program year for you too. Yes, preparing the classroom space and materials are important, but you’re just as important to your students’ learning. The relationships we build, the way we respond, and the curiosity we bring shape children’s experience every day. So, let’s invest time in preparing our mindset, intentions and well-being. Reflect Before You Reset: Every new year offers a fresh opportunity to reflect on the previous one. Ask yourself: What brought me the most joy last year? What challenges did I face? What would I like to do differently? Which routines supported children well, and which could be improved? How did I grow as an educator? Reflection isn’t about dwelling on mistakes. It’s about recognizing what you’ve learning and carrying those lessons forward. Small adjustments can still have a big impact. Reconnect with Your “Why” When schedules become busy and paperwork piles up, it’s easy to slip into simply getting through each day. Before the pace picks up, take a moment to reconnect with the reason you chose this profession. This is a grounding exercise and there’s a reason we talk about it often. Perhaps it’s witnessing a child’s excitement when they solve a problem, or it’s supporting families through important milestones, or creating a place where every child feels they belong. Keeping your purpose at the forefront can help guide decisions through the year and provide perspective during more challenging moments. Prepare for Relationships, Not Just Routines The children in your care won’t remember perfectly organized shelves, but they will remember how they felt in your care. The first few weeks are about much more than learning routines. They’re about building trust. So, let’s be intentional. After all, relationships are the foundation of any learning environment. Think about how you will: Welcome families into your program Help children feel safe and connected Create opportunities for every child to experience success Leave Space for Flexibility It’s natural to want to be organized and prepared before the first day. But don’t forget that some of the most meaningful learning experiences happen when we follow children’s curiosity rather than our own agenda. A well-prepared educator is also a flexible educator. Leave room in your plans for unexpected discoveries, spontaneous conversations, and the interests children bring with them. These moments often become the most memorable because you’ve followed the children’s lead. Check In with Yourself The beginning of a new year or having a new group of students often comes with excitement – but it can also bring pressure. As you care for the children, remember to care for yourself. Are you setting realistic expectations? Do you need to have more recovery time the first few weeks of a new routine? What boundaries will help you maintain balance? Reflection on what helps support your personal well-being. Make a list of people you can turn to when you need support, either in the classroom or out of it. Embrace a Learning Mindset Children aren’t the only learners in the classroom. Every new group of students, every family, and every experience is an opportunity for growth professionally. Rather than striving for perfection or the appearance of perfection, make curiosity the priority. A Fresh Start for Everyone The carefully prepared learning environment is important but so is your warmth, your responsiveness, your patience and your willingness to learn alongside the children in your care. This is what truly creates a place where children can thrive. So, before you organize one more bin in the art cabinet or make another label, take a moment to prepare the most important part of your classroom – you. The year ahead won’t be perfect, and it doesn’t need to be. It simply needs an educator who is reflective, present and ready to build meaningful relationships one day, one child, one family at a time. Here’s to a year filled with curiosity, connection, growth and joy – for both the children in your care and for you. We’ll be rooting for you!