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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media

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1) Date & Name of Facilitator - June 10th, 2024 Alyssa is facilitating this week.

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How do you all feel you are progressing so far in your placements this semester?

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Newfoundland and Labrador Continues to Create New Child Care Spaces

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Newfoundland and Labrador Continues to Create New Child Care Spaces

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The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, is today providing an update on child care space creation and announcing further measures to improve access to affordable regulated early learning and child care throughout the province, as recommended in the recent review of the Operating Grant Program. These initiatives build-on the more than 9,100 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10 a day or less in the province, with over 1,500 child care spaces created since January 2023.

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Newfoundland and Labrador Continues to Create New Child Care Spaces

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The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, is today providing an update on child care space creation and announcing further measures to improve access to affordable regulated early learning and child care throughout the province, as recommended in the recent review of the Operating Grant Program. These initiatives build-on the more than 9,100 early learning and child care spaces operating at $10 a day or less in the province, with over 1,500 child care spaces created since January 2023.

Minister Howell will be available to the media today (Wednesday, April 17) at 1:30 p.m. to discuss these measures. The availability will take place outside the House of Assembly, Confederation Building. Minister Howell will be joined by Davida Smith, Dean of Academics, Applied Arts and Tourism at College of the North Atlantic.

There are currently 2,206 early learning and child care spaces in various stages of development throughout the province, with timelines for operation ranging from one to 24 months. Close to 750 spaces currently in development have received funding through the Child Care Capacity Initiative announced this past fall. A regional breakdown of spaces in development is as follows, with a full list of current capacity projects outlined in the backgrounder:

Additional measures have been introduced to support child care service providers, the early learning work force, and further incentivize space creation, including:

Implementation of an Infant Incentive
As of April 1, 2024, regulated child care services participating in the Operating Grant Program are receiving an additional $30 per day for each infant-aged space they operate. This will bring the total funding per enrolled infant per operational day to $101 for child care centres and infant-only family child care providers.

Streamlined Closure Days

Child care centres and family child care providers will receive funding for up to 12 statutory holidays.

To support the well-being of the early learning work force, child care centres will receive funding for five additional closure days on top of statutory holidays, which are to be determined at the discretion of the service providers.

Improvements to Funding Structure
The former two-tiered funding structure of the Operating Grant Program has been condensed to provide all participating service providers with the same rate at the former higher tier. All regulated child care providers on the Operating Grant Program now receive the same rates based on the age of the child and type of service.

Supporting Professional Development
All child care services participating in the Operating Grant Program will continue to receive two paid professional development days. This furthers professionalization of the sector and ensures that early childhood educators and child care workers are able to access professional development without experiencing financial impact.

These actions are part of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

Access to high quality, affordable child care is important for families, the economy and the future of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Our government is listening to the needs of the early learning and child care sector and is working to ensure that the needs of the work force are balanced with the needs of children and parents. These additional measures will help to further increase capacity while also supporting the people who are teaching and caring for our province's youngest residents."
Honourable Krista Lynn Howell
Minister of Education

"Today's announcement is a testament to the excellent progress that Newfoundland and Labrador is making to improving early learning and child care across the province. I look forward to continuing to work with the province to support operators and the early learning and child care workforce to help meet the needs of families. When we invest in early learning and child care, we are investing in the future of Canada and ensuring all children have the best possible start in life. "
Honourable Jenna Sudds
Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Government of Canada

"Affordable access to first-rate child care is one of the most vital building blocks of a thriving economy and equitable society. Reliable, regulated child care gives parents more freedom to choose when and how they want to return to work - and when they do, they have peace of mind knowing their children's early cognitive, social and emotional development is in qualified hands. College of the North Atlantic will continue to work closely with the Provincial Government, supporting the ongoing development of child care spaces throughout Newfoundland and Labrador."
Davida Smith
Dean of Academics, Applied Arts and Tourism, College of the North Atlantic

-30-

Learn more
$10-a-day Child Care Now a Reality for Families in Newfoundland and Labrador

Provincial Government Introduces Measures to Increase Enrollment at Regulated Early Learning and Child Care Services and Support Rural and Remote Operators Review of the Operating Grant Program for Child Care Services Completed
Operating Grant Program Early Childhood Educator Wage Grid Child Care Capacity Initiative BACKGROUNDER Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide  Early Learning and Child Care Agreement is increasing access to regulated child care through the creation of approximately 6,000 spaces by 2025-2026, as well as improving affordability, inclusivity and quality of early learning and child care programming in Newfoundland and Labrador. This plan is made possible by federal investments in the  Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care  system. These include $306 million for the 2021-2022 to 2025-2026 Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, a one-time investment of nearly $6.5 million in 2021-2022 to support the early childhood workforce, as well as over $34 million for the 2021-2022 to 2024-2025 Early Learning and Child Care Extension Agreement.
Early Learning and Child Care Spaces in Development
*Total number of spaces created upon project completion may differ.

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Newfoundland and Labrador Continues to Create New Child Care Spaces - News Releases

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The Honourable Krista Lynn Howell, Minister of Education, is today providing an update on child care space creation and announcing further measures to improve access to affordable regulated early learning and child care throughout the province, as recommended in the...

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Alyssa, Anna, Paige, Jiao

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Week 6

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Hey! I feel like I am progressing well! The children I am with have warmed up to me and are excited to see me each day which is really nice. It is super interesting to see the developmental differences that even going from age 1-2 (my last placement) to 3-4 makes (my current placement)

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It looks like childcare spaces are in high demanding in many provinces. I hope there will be enough early learning and childcare educators too.

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1) Date & Name of Facilitator- June 17, 2024. Jiao Fu is facilitating this week.

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media

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Alyssa, Anna, Jiao, and Paige participated.

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Medical benefits for Early Childhood Educators

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Medical benefits for Early Childhood Educators

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The Newfoundland and Labrador government has announced a new medical benefits program for early childhood educators working in regulated child care services participating in the Operating Grant Program.

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Medical benefits for Early Childhood Educators

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The Newfoundland and Labrador government has announced a new medical benefits program for early childhood educators working in regulated child care services participating in the Operating Grant Program.

The new medical benefits program will launch in fall 2024 and will be managed by the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL). The benefits will be optional and available to those who have worked for at least three months at a regulated child care service participating in the Operating Grant Program. Eligible workers include: Early childhood educators, trainee early childhood educators, other staff working in child care services and regulated family child care providers.

Nearly 1,600 child care workers across the province are expected to gain access to medical benefits through this initiative.

Although specific details on coverage have yet to be announced, advocates are praising this step as a significant improvement in access to healthcare for many early childhood educators and child care workers.

This initiative is crucial for retention, as 62% of early childhood educators in Newfoundland and Labrador feel they might have to leave the profession to secure benefits, according to a recent survey by the Newfoundland and Labrador Federation of Labour, the Jimmy Pratt Foundation, and the Workers' Action Network NL.

"There is no greater feeling than knowing you are appreciated. We welcome this week's announcement by Minister Howell, especially during ECE Week. ECEs province-wide welcome the introduction of medical benefits, which we have been seeking for so long," said Patrice Gordon, an early childhood educator and member of the Child Care Now-NL Steering Committee.

The AECENL will focus on securing a plan that provides the best benefits for staff, aiming to provide relief to current workers and attract more individuals to the child care sector. The government plans to have everything operational by fall 2024.

The annual cost for the new benefit plan is estimated at over $1.8 million, and will be federally-funded through the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.

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Newfoundland and Labrador Introduce Medical Benefits Program for Early Childhood Educators - Child Care Now

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The Newfoundland and Labrador government has announced a new medical benefits program for early childhood educators working in regulated child care services participating in the Operating Grant Program. The new medical benefits program will launch in fall 2024 and will be managed by the Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL).

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Paige Kueppers- Example Of Being Present 

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Paige Kueppers- Example Of Being Present 

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Being present for the special occasions and events in the families/children's lives is so special and meaningful.

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Supporting the Strengths Of Early Childhood Education 

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Supporting the Strengths Of Early Childhood Education 

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Additional funding for early childhood educators (ECE) is helping recruit and retain staff in the child care sector, leading to a more supported workforce and better outcomes for children and families.

"When child care professionals feel supported, children and their families are also better supported and we are all better off," said Mitzi Dean, B.C. Minister of State for Child Care. "We know there is no child care without the dedicated and skilled professionals who provide that care. These provincial and federal investments, which include post-secondary bursaries, peer mentoring and other professional-development opportunities, are some of the ways we are recognizing them."

ECE students, including those just beginning their educational journey and those already working in the field and upgrading their credentials, will benefit from an additional $45 million for the ECE Education Support Fund. The fund, managed by Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC), provides as much as $5,000 per semester for eligible ECE students.

"Early childhood educators are at the heart of the early learning and child care system," said Jenna Sudds, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development. "Today's announcement is a meaningful step in recogonizing their essential work and ensuring they have the support they need throughout their studies and careers, while growing an affordable, high-quality child care system for families in British Columbia."

Approximately $11 million in additional funding for new and ongoing professional learning opportunities is being provided for programs, such as the ECE Peer Mentoring program and the Early Years Professional Development Bursary program. Three organizations are working with the government to provide the programs to support child care professionals, and in doing so, give families peace of mind that their children are receiving the highest level of care.

"The ECE Peer Mentoring program has allowed me to remain in the field that I love when I was burned out and ready to leave," said Tammy Jackson, ECE. "It provided me with the encouragement, professional development, tools and support to thrive in my profession rather than just survive. It is my belief that the program not only positively impacts the educators involved, but it has a positive impact on the children and families we work with."

As part of ChildCareBC, the Province is investing in ECEs and child care professionals to ensure the child care sector can expand and grow to meet the needs of families in B.C. Increasing recruitment and retention of ECEs and child care professionals is a shared priority between the Province and the federal government.

The ECE Education Support Fund is supported by provincial investments and federal funding under the 2021-22 to 2025-26 Canada-British Columbia-Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement.
Quotes: Emily Mlieczko, executive director, ECEBC -
"Early childhood educators are the foundation of a robust early years system. Each investment in this profession continues to support this dedicated sector and is welcomed. ECEBC informs and advocates for continued enhancements and investments."
Laura Doan, associate professor at Thompson Rivers University and founder of the Peer Mentoring program -
"Peer Mentoring communities of practice serve as a place where educators find mutual support, respect and care. It is a safe enough place for educators to be able to ask questions, share ideas, advocate, listen, provoke and grow. Our research has shown that educators who take part in the program have an increase in confidence, leadership, development, learning and professional identity, and are sustained so they are able to continue in their chosen field and avoid burnout."
Shari Rockliff, ECE -
"In our community of practice, when someone in the group feels defeat, another will provide them with support that rebuilds hope. When change is needed within the child care sector, our voices are heard across the province. The strength of this peer-mentor group is truly influential."
Quick Facts:

The overall number of ECEs has increased by approximately 4,000 from 10,400 in 2018-19 to 14,400 in 2023-24.

The number of active ECE certificates has been trending upward, increasing by 11% since the end of 2023-24 fiscal year.

More than 13,000 eligible ECEs per month receive a wage enhancement of as much as $6 per hour.

In January 2024, the Province introduced the new ECE specialized certification grant, which provides eligible ECEs an annual grant of $2,000 or $3,000 based on their specialized certification.

The Government of Canada made a transformative investment of more than $27 billion over five years as part of Budget 2021 to build a Canada-wide early learning and child care (ELCC) system with provinces and territories (PTs), including to increase the quality of ELCC through valuing the early childhood workforce and providing it with training opportunities.

In addition, the Government of Canada provided $420 million in 2021-22 for PTs to support the recruitment and retention of ECEs, in recognition of the workforce's central role in providing high-quality ELCC.

Learn More:
To find out more about becoming an ECE, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/early-learning/teach/training-and-professional-development/become-an-early-childhood-educator

To learn more about the Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention strategy, visit: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/family-social-supports/caring-for-young-children/recruitment-retention-strategy

A backgrounder follows.

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Supporting early childhood educators strengthens child care

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Additional funding for early childhood educators (ECE) is helping recruit and retain staff in the child care sector, leading to a more supported workforce and better outcomes for children and families.

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On July 22nd 2024, Ontario ECE grants will start to accept application for Fall 2024 semester for previous Qualification Upgrade Program applicants. On August 6th 2024, it will start accept all other applicants.

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Ontario ECE Grants supports eligible applicants in the form of education grants, travel grants, and training allowance. Learn More.

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Paige Kueppers- Example Of Being Authentic

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Paige Kueppers- Example Of Being Authentic

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Paige Kueppers- Example Of Being Authentic

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Paige Kueppers- Example Of Being Authentic

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Information regarding RECE'S leaving daycaers to join schoolboards ior leaving the career completely.

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latest news at Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario

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Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) Submission to the Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs regarding Bill 148: Fair Workplaces, Better Jobs Act, 2017 The Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario (AECEO) is the professional association for early childhood educators (ECEs) in Ontario.

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Anna is facilitating this week! (Week of July 1st to 5th)

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media

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This is so great! Thanks for sharing! I'm sure it is so nice for you to be able to spend time with your children and for them to be able to grow their bond as they will be together all summer!

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That is so sweet! I love that you managed to be authentic to yourself and also managed to include the children in it! I'm sure that is something she will cherish for a long time!!

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Distracting preschoolers with devices could cause trouble down the road, study suggests

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Distracting preschoolers with devices could cause trouble down the road, study suggests

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Distracting preschoolers with devices could cause trouble down the road, study suggests

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Alyssa, Anna, Jiao, and Paige participated.

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Thanks for sharing! It's so good for children to see all different kinds of people so they feel as though they can relate to adults. Even things like fun hair colours and tattoos can be great to show.

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media 

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media 

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More Access to Child Care for Families in Halifax

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More Access to Child Care for Families in Halifax

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Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) will add more spaces to its child study centre in Halifax and expand the age groups it serves with funding support from the provincial and federal governments.

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Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) will add more spaces to its child study centre in Halifax and expand the age groups it serves with funding support from the provincial and federal governments.

This will help meet the need for child care in the community and enhance the education and professional development of aspiring early childhood educators in the university's child and youth study program, while offering research opportunities in the field.

"We are pleased to support the expansion of MSVU's child-care facility. Families need greater access to reliable and affordable child care, and we need more professionals to provide that care," said Becky Druhan, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development. "We're proud of the work MSVU is doing to help meet the needs of families in the community."

The larger facility will add an additional 82 spaces and introduce up to 32 infant spaces. Parents who are on the existing wait list will be given priority.

Design work is underway; construction is expected to take about two years.

MSVU will also explore offering flexible hours at the centre to accommodate shift workers, particularly healthcare workers.

This initiative is part of the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which supports the child-care system so all families have access to affordable, high-quality and inclusive care when and where they need it.

Quotes:

"Nova Scotia's post-secondary institutions play an important role in helping to address labour shortages and prepare the next generation. MSVU's expanded centre will help prepare early childhood educators for the workforce while providing quality care for children in this learning environment. We're proud to support investments like this that will make a real difference for families."
- Brian Wong, Minister of Advanced Education

"These new child-care spaces at Mount Saint Vincent University will make life easier for parents and students in the community. We will continue working with Nova Scotia to meet our shared goal of creating 9,500 new child-care spaces across the province by March 2026."
- Jenna Sudds, federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

"An investment in early childhood really is an investment in brighter futures and better societies. We are tremendously grateful for the provincial and federal government investment announced today through which we will ensure that MSVU continues to serve as the region's go-to resource for best practices in early childhood for years to come. Not only will this funding create more child-care spaces and support research of sector-wide benefit, but it will also mean expanded teaching capacity in support of greater numbers of students pursuing early childhood education as their chosen profession."
- Joël Dickinson, President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Saint Vincent University

Quick Facts:

MSVU's child study centre currently operates a full-day program for 40 children from 18 months to five years

the expansion is expected to cost $10 million, with $2 million from the Province, $3 million from the Canada-Nova Scotia Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement and $5 million from the university

Nova Scotia, in partnership with the federal government, now invests $333 million annually in early learning and child care

Additional Resources:

MSVU child study centre: https://www.msvu.ca/campus-life/campus-services/child-study-centre/

Employment and Social Development Canada news release - Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia Release Early Learning and Child Care Action Plan: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2024/02/governments-of-canada-and-nova-scotia-release-early-learning-and-child-care-action-plan.html

More information on early learning and child care is available at: https://childcarenovascotia.ca/

Other than cropping, CNS photos are not to be altered in any way.

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More Access to Child Care for Families in Halifax

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Mount Saint Vincent University (MSVU) will add more spaces to its child study centre in Halifax and expand the age groups it serves with funding support from the provincial and federal governments.

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Sensory water beads: What parents and caregivers should know

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Sensory water beads: What parents and caregivers should know

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While water beads can be a fun and engaging activity for young children, it can cause severe harm if ingested.

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Water beads are small, colourful absorbent beads that can be used for various purposes, such as home decoration, plant hydration, and sensory play for kids. However, these seemingly harmless beads can pose a significant danger if ingested.

Water beads are made of a superabsorbent polymer that can expand up to 1,500 times their original size when exposed to water. When swallowed, these beads can quickly expand and cause numerous problems leading to potentially severe complications, or even death.

Dangers of young children swallowing water beads

Choking: Water beads are small and can easily be swallowed. If they get lodged in the throat, they can cause choking, which can be life-threatening if not treated immediately.

Intestinal blockages: Once ingested, water beads can expand in the intestines and cause blockages. This can lead to severe abdominal pain, vomiting, and dehydration, and in extreme cases, can require surgery to remove the beads.

Toxicity: Some water beads are made with harmful chemicals that can be toxic if ingested. These chemicals can cause a range of health issues, including vomiting, diarrhea, and organ damage.

Suffocation: If water beads are inhaled, they can become lodged in the airways and cause suffocation. This is particularly dangerous for young children who may not be able to communicate the problem.

Other: Water beads can be placed in the nostrils, ear canals or genitals. Blockages of these pathways can also cause significant morbidity if not addressed in a timely manner.

Prevention

The best way to prevent kids from swallowing water beads is to not have them in the house. Otherwise, parents should keep them stored out of reach and in a sealed container where young children cannot access them. Parents and caregivers can also take the following steps:

Supervise: Young children should always be supervised by an attentive caregiver when playing with water beads.

Educate: Parents and caregivers should educate their children on the dangers of swallowing water beads and the importance of not putting them in their mouths. This is particularly important when older children are playing with younger siblings.

Provide alternatives: There are many safer sensory play alternatives that do not involve water beads, such as sand, playdough, rice, dried beans, pom-poms or foam blocks.

What to do if a child swallows water beads

A parent or caregiver should seek medical attention immediately if they suspect that a child has swallowed water beads.

The symptoms of a water bead ingestion can resemble those of other digestive issues, so it is essential to get a proper diagnosis. Parents should not induce vomiting, as this can worsen the situation and cause further complications.

While water beads can be a fun and engaging sensory play activity for young children, they can also pose a significant danger if ingested. By taking the precautions mentioned above, parents and caregivers can ensure that children can safely enjoy sensory play activities.

For all things child safety and injury prevention, visit Caring for Kids .
Dr. Suzanne Beno and Dr. Daniel Rosenfield are members of the Canadian Paediatric Society's Injury Prevention Committee and Emergency Department paediatricians at The Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto.
Copyright

The Canadian Paediatric Society holds copyright on all information we publish on this blog. For complete details, read our Copyright Policy.

Disclaimer

The information on this blog should not be used as a substitute for medical care and advice. The views of blog writers do not necessarily represent the views of the Canadian Paediatric Society.

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Sensory water beads: What parents and caregivers should know | Canadian Paediatric Society

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Canadian Paediatric Society: Protecting and promoting the health and well-being of children and youth.

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Anna is facilitating this week! (Week of July 15th - 19th)

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Thank you so sharing Anna, it is important to build a true connection and relationship with the children in your care by making a effort to show up every day.

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media 

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Early Childhood Sector News/Social Media 

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Achieving affordable child care in Canada

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Achieving affordable child care in Canada

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The provision of care that provides a supportive and enabling environment is essential for a child’s acquisition of fundamental learning and development skills. In recent years, the provision of child care has faced criticism due to rising costs and a lack of availability, putting more pressure on parents and families and exacerbating socioeconomic disparities. In 2021, the Canadian Government announced a significant investment to make child care more affordable nationwide,

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Three years after Canada announced a historic investment to revolutionize child care, Open Access Government discusses the government's progress in enabling affordable child care nationwide

The provision of care that provides a supportive and enabling environment is essential for a child's acquisition of fundamental learning and development skills. In recent years, the provision of child care has faced criticism due to rising costs and a lack of availability, putting more pressure on parents and families and exacerbating socioeconomic disparities. In 2021, the Canadian Government announced a significant investment to make child care more affordable nationwide, but three years later, has this vision become a reality?

The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on care provision

COVID-19 revealed and worsened problems in all areas of care. Canada's care economy experienced significant strain due to years of insufficient funding, which placed unprecedented pressure on vital care sectors, including child care. The prolonged lockdowns had a major impact on families and unfairly burdened women with heavy unpaid household care duties. Even prior to the pandemic, 42% of women of working age globally reported being unable to engage in paid work due to their unpaid care and domestic duties. (1)

As part of its 2021 Budget, Canada's government pledged over $27bn over five years to establish a Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care System (ELCC). The goal is to support primarily not-for-profit sector child care providers and, most significantly, increase access to $10-a-day child care services everywhere outside of Quebec, where an affordable care system is already established. The Government also aims to improve wages for early childhood educators and establish a foundation of common, publicly available data to measure the system's progress.

Canada's child care system

According to Moving2Canada, child care costs in Canada are influenced by a multitude of factors. These include the province or territory, whether you live in a large city, town, or a more rural area, the type of care required, the child's age, whether you choose a regulated or unregulated option and the ratio of children to care providers. Understanding these factors is crucial in comprehending the current state of child care in Canada and the potential impact of policy changes.

Any regulated program for children before the age of six falls under the umbrella of the Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system. As part of the agreement, each province and territory receives federal funding with the overall aim of reducing fees, increasing the availability of public and not-for-profit child care, and raising wages for staff. To date, eight provinces and territories are delivering regulated child care for an average of $10 a day or less.

According to a Statistics Canada report, in 2023, the average amount Canadian parents paid was $544 per month for full-time child care arrangements, down from $649 in 2022. However, the report also notes that the number of parents who say it's been difficult to get child care increased from 53 to 62%.

Reflecting on the Government's efforts to help build more inclusive child care spaces in Nunavut, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Sudds said:

"Every family should have access to high-quality, inclusive child care. More child care spaces mean more high-quality spots for kids and more relief for parents as they access affordable child care. The government of Canada remains committed to working with Nunavut so that children in Canada have the best possible start in life. The Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Fund will help child care providers across Nunavut so they can continue to provide access to high-quality, affordable, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care to underserved communities."

According to the Government, the $10-a-day regulated child care is making life more affordable for young families and enabling parents' labour force participation. (3)

Is Canada's $10-a-day child care plan sustainable?

Lowering fees has made child care more affordable for many families. However, there's a severe shortage of available child care spaces and staff to meet the increasing demand. As a result, some daycares have closed their waiting lists or threatened to withdraw from the national child care program altogether. (4) In 2018, the Government said that an additional 12,000 child-care professionals would be needed over the next ten years to expand affordable child care. However, in efforts to achieve the government's vision, operators have said there is not enough money to cover all their costs, including offering higher wages to ensure they can train and retain early childhood educators. Some say they are finding that the federal-provincial agreements restrict the fees they can charge without providing enough support to cover all of their expenses.

Speaking in May this year, Families Minister Jenna Sudds said almost 100% of providers are now part of the national child care program. Still, the provincial government is not developing a sustainable funding formula: "The provinces and territories entered into these agreements eyes wide open and knowing what the expectations were, knowing how many spaces we expected to be created and what dollars were on the table for them to work with.

"...I fully expect we'll continue working ... with them to ensure that this is successful." (5)

In May of this year, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that $201.87mn would be provided to Ontario, Canada's second-largest province. This funding is intended to create child care spaces and support inclusive child care services across the province, particularly in underserved and remote communities. The Prime Minister also emphasized key measures outlined in Budget 2024, aimed at increasing child care spaces and infrastructure, supporting early childhood educators nationwide, and helping more families access affordable child care. These measures include the launch of a new child care expansion loan program, offering student loan forgiveness for rural and remote early childhood educators, increasing training for early childhood educators, and improving child care access for military families. (6)

References

1. https://www.oxfam.ca/project/inclusive-child-care-for-all/

2. https://moving2canada.com/living/childcare-in-canada/

3. https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/news/2024/05/building-more-child-care-spaces-for-families-in-the-northwest-territories.html

4. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/child-care-daycare-wait-lists-bc-1.7087185#:~:text=Some%20daycares%20are%20closing%20waitlists,funds%20for%20more%20staff%2C%20expansion

5. https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-provinces-knew-the-deal-when-they-signed-on-to-10-a-day-child-care/

6. https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/news-releases/2024/05/13/creating-more-child-care-spaces-families-ontario

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Achieving affordable child care in Canada

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Three years after Canada announced a historic investment to revolutionize child care, Open Access Government discusses the government's progress in enabling affordable child care nationwide

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Anna, Alyssa,

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Since most of us have finished two facilitations, do we need to do a third facilitation in the following weeks?

If not, do we still post our weekly reflections, questions, and news?

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This workforce report discusses how Early Childhood Educators are in such high demands and are needed across daycares and schoolboards.

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Introduction

ABOUT THIS REPORT

In 2021, the Government of Canada committed to providing sustained funding to provinces and territories to expand access to more affordable child care. The ultimate goal is to create a Canada-wide early learning and child care plan to drive economic growth, support women's workforce participation, and give every Canadian child a head start. Achieving these objectives requires a qualified early childhood education workforce.

The early childhood education workforce is large, with 300,000 plus members representing more than1% of the working population. Workforce members can be found in many sectors, including licensed child care, health, education, family support, and settlement services. Every Canadian jurisdiction has legislation governing the provision of regulated, or licensed,1 child care services. This report focuses on those working in child care centres or group care. It provides a status report on today's child care workforce and the challenges it faces, along with promising practices. It concludes with a series of recommendations. The intent is to draw attention to the centrality of educators in creating Canada's newest social program and the policies and resources they require to make it a success.

Information was compiled using data from Statistics Canada; extensive discussions with early childhood educators, program leaders, and government officials; and reviews of recent workforce surveys and provincial/territorial reports.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to thank the many educators and officials who facilitated this work and generously shared their insights and experiences.

We would like to acknowledge Dr. Jennifer Jenkins, Chair of the Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, and Patricia Chorney Rubin, Director of the School of Early Childhood at George Brown College, for their unfailing guidance. We would like to also thank Stacey Mudie and Nathan Cardoso for their hard work moving this project forward.

This work would not be possible without the support of the Atkinson Foundation, which endowed a centre for early childhood policy research and dissemination at the University of Toronto and has provided both financial support and personal encouragement ever since.
Kerry McCuaig, Emis Akbari, Ph.D., Allison Correia

Cite this document as: McCuaig K., Akbari, E., Correia, A. (April 2022). Canada's children need a professional early childhood education workforce. Atkinson Centre for Society and Child Development, Ontario Institute for Studies in Education, University of Toronto.

I. The Early Childhood Education Workforce

BY THE NUMBERS
302,000 people across Canada work in early childhood education, child care, and family support programs, as home child care providers.

Source: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/75-006-x/2021001/article/00005-eng.htm
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OPPORTUNITIES

An early childhood education diploma is a valuable qualification. Early childhood educators are in demand in schools, health care, family support, and settlement services, as well as in child care. With growing opportunities to ladder into higher education, many ECEs are building rewarding careers in academia and government services.

CHALLENGES

Attracting and keeping qualified staff in regulated child care are major challenges for the sector.

Workforce Shortages

Density

50% of the regulated child care workforce in Canada have post-secondary qualifications.

An Ontario study found that 30% of positions in licensed child care requiring an early childhood education credential were filled by staff without the necessary qualifications.

Retention

62% of child care centre operators in Canada had to recruit staff in the last two years.

82% had difficulty hiring staff with the necessary qualifications.

6% had unfilled staff vacancies lasting over four months.

Among ECEs who resigned their position in Ontario, the majority sought other employment outside of licensed child care.

Source: https://ecereport.ca/media/uploads/wr-downloads/workforce_surveys.pdf

Low Compensation

In 2021, the median hourly wage for staff working in licensed child care in Canada was $20.

One-third of the licensed child care workforce receive no health benefits.

41% receive no paid personal leave.

Only 17.7% have access to RRSPs or private pensions through their workplace.

Source: https://ecereport.ca/media/uploads/wr-downloads/workforce_surveys.pdf

II. The Benefits of a Qualified Workforce

Developing and sustaining a skilled workforce requires several fundamental policy approaches:

Making high-quality education and pre-service training available

Providing evidence-based training that is compatible with the needs of the sector

Foreseeing and preparing for the skills and demand needs of the future

Providing adequate compensation that reflects the value of the work

Regulations governing the physical environments, the total number of children permitted in a classroom, and the ratio of qualified educators to children are also important factors.

When harnessed successfully, these approaches foster innovation and create more productive and rewarding work.

When working environments and compensation do not reflect or value educators' work and training, many "job hop" or leave the sector altogether.

WHY IS THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WORKFORCE IMPORTANT?

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS' LABOUR FORCE PARTICIPATION

The availability of early learning and child care has a direct impact on women's labour force participation. When child care isn't available, parents report needing to change their work schedule (36%), working fewer hours (31%), or using multiple or temporary care arrangements (29%).

Among parents who could not secure child care, 41% postponed their return to work. Canada-wide, the COVID-19 pandemic has reduced the portion of women aged 15 and over in paid work to 56.7%, a level last seen in 2002. Economists call this the "she-cession".

Staffing shortages prevent child care programs from returning to pre-pandemic capacity and curtail future space expansion, impeding women's employment. Fewer women earning results in decreased purchasing power, creating a drag on economic recovery.

THE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION WORKFORCE WORKS FOR CANADA
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ISSUES TO ADDRESS

WAGES

Half the licensed child care workforce barely earn above the minimum wage. The COVID-19 pandemic brought additional hardships. Declining enrolment resulted in layoffs and unpredictable hours. Many educators took jobs elsewhere where they earn more. Getting these educators back into child care will take bold action.

BENEFITS

Paid leave and decent health and pension benefits are essential recruiting tools, particularly for a young workforce with its own family responsibilities. Among child care staff with benefits, half cited access to benefits as a reason for staying with their employer.

WORKING CONDITIONS

Staff want decent pay, but they also want the support needed to do their jobs well. This includes paid time for planning and professional development, as well as pedagogical leadership and access to other specialists who can assist children and families in distress or with greater needs.

PROFESSIONAL DENSITY

Fewer than half the staff working in regulated child care have post-secondary credentials in early childhood education. Increasing the density of trained staff contributes to a more professional learning community.

CAREER ADVANCEMENT

Educators need career opportunities and an infrastructure that supports professional practice. Similar to teachers in public education, early childhood educators need the option of working directly with children or pursuing related career paths. This enables programs to attract and retain professional staff with the experience, education, and longevity that enhance program quality.

EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT

Positive organizational culture and professional working conditions depend on program leaders. Yet few jurisdictions require additional qualifications for centre directors, and directors themselves have few resources to support their work.

WHAT'S NEXT

The early learning and child care deals signed between provinces and territories, and the federal government all commit to adding child care capacity and lowering parent costs to a daily average of $10 within five years. Not all agreements to date contain language addressing educator pay. Few include staff pensions and benefits, improved working conditions, or raising the status of the early childhood education workforce.
Creating a professional workforce requires action on all these fronts simultaneously.

III. The Starting Point: Being an ECE in Canada

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WAGES
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WAGE TOP-UPS ARE NOT ENOUGH

Pay levels create systemic problems in the early childhood education workforce. Licensed child care centres in particular have difficulty enticing new graduates and keeping existing staff. Higher starting rates and sector-wide wage grids have been offered as a means to boost educator earning power and provide wage transparency.

Yet wage grids are not a panacea. Quebec's wage grid in its publicly managed Centres de la petite enfance (CPEs) covers everyone from directors to cleaning staff. It takes 10 years for a fully qualified ECE to move from a starting rate of $20.96 to the top of the grid at $27.76. It took rotating strikes by educators to win increased earnings.

Prince Edward Island's child care staff launched a public campaign to get a boost to its wage grid after years without an increase.

Yet more pay hasn't resolved labour shortages. In December 2020, the Quebec government launched a recruitment drive to bring in another 1,000 ECEs to its CPEs, just to plug holes in the current system. The demand for educators will only grow as Quebec follows through on its guarantee of a child care space for every child.

Trying to get in front of the problem, some provinces and territories top up educator wages. In April 2021, the Yukon added another $5 an hour to what was already the most generous pay package in the country. Yet even publicly-funded wage supplements have not resulted in an influx of ECEs into regulated child care, reflecting broader challenges in the sector.

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EDUCATOR TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

No jurisdiction in Canada requires that all those working with young children in regulated child care settings hold post-secondary level credentials. Two-thirds of staff working directly with children holding qualifying credentials is considered the international minimum. Meeting this standard is one indication of the value placed on educators and early childhood education in general. Improvements have been made in educator training and qualifications, including the following:

Nova Scotia has instituted minimum training for all staff and has hired early childhood development consultants to support
educators in licensed child care.

Educator shortages have led some provinces to reduce qualification requirements. For instance, Ontario's legislative amendments remove ECE training requirements for staff working in licensed child care serving children aged 4 years and older. Alberta no longer administers the child care accreditation system, which encouraged the hiring of qualified staff in centres. All jurisdictions allow programs temporary leave to operate without the requisite number of qualified staff.
Click here for a list of post-secondary institutions offering early childhood education credentials. Click to see larger image
TRAINING FOR LEADERS

Child care supervisors and directors develop, support, encourage, and motivate staff teams, as well as model high standards of practice, knowledge, and care. They are responsible for the health, safety, and well-being of everyone in the centre in addition to managing administrative functions, performance, and financial targets. Yet few jurisdictions require additional qualifications for supervisors working in regulated child care. In those jurisdictions with additional requirements, the training requirements are often not reflective of the demands placed on the position.

Focusing on training and support for program leaders, as well as training for front line staff, would help raise the standards in child care programs.
Click here for a list of legislated qualifications for educators and supervisors in each province and territory.

IV. Employers Make a Difference
Different entities operate early learning and child care programs.
NON-PROFIT CHILD CARE

The governance of non-profit child care falls under provincial/territorial non-profit or cooperative corporations legislation. Specific criteria may vary, but all prohibit personal financial gain to directors or members.

Non-profit child care may be operated by:

Boards of directors operating single or multiple sites for the sole purpose of providing child care

Multi-service agencies that provide child care in addition to other community or social services

Religious denominations

Public child care is also non-profit and may be operated by:

Post-secondary education institutions

Municipal or regional governments

First Nations Band Councils

School boards

Public sector workplaces such as hospitals or government offices

The Canadian Armed Forces

FOR-PROFIT CHILD CARE

For-profit child care is incorporated as a business and organized to make a profit. Excess income or profit can be distributed to the owner/shareholders.

For-profit programs may be:

Single or multiple centres operated by a single owner or owner group

Private or share-issuing corporations offering child care only or as part of other products or services

Depending on the type of operator, there may be differences in access to public funding, operating standards, and parent fees. For those working in the sector, their employer's auspice can make significant differences in compensation, benefits, and working conditions.

THE FOR-PROFIT CHALLENGE

The early learning and child care agreements allow provinces and territories to use federal funds for quality improvements and to lower parent fees in all regulated child care programs, both profit and non-profit. Funding to develop new child care capacity is largely restricted to public and non-profit operators and family child care providers.

There is little public child care in Canada, and depending on the province/territory, the non-profit sector can also be quite small. Regardless of auspice, opening a new early learning and child care (ELCC) facility is a challenging endeavour. Agencies need members of the public to volunteer their time to sit on a board of directors responsible for the oversight of the centre. Directors are often the overtaxed parents of the children attending the centre, with neither the knowledge nor interest in taking on the construction, equipping, staff recruitment, and management of new facilities. The rate of failure is high, with many new facilities opening, just to close within a few years. This results in inconsistent services for communities and the squandering of public resources.

With the ability to bypass public and parent engagement and to borrow money from private financial institutions, for-profit companies have expanded their reach except in some jurisdictions (Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Nunavut, Northwest Territories) that restrict their presence.

There are ethical concerns about public money paying for profit-making child care. Equally problematic is the documented poorer quality of the care and workforce conditions in for-profit child care.

Some jurisdictions manage for-profit care through regulations and policies that include government-established staff wages and benefits and controlled parent fees (Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick); eliminating profit lines and restricting eligible costs to elements directly involved in the care of children (City of Toronto); mandating parent advisory boards (Prince Edward Island, Quebec); or requiring the public reporting of financials (Prince Edward Island) and quality ratings. Under these conditions, some operators have left the business or incorporated as non-profit entities.

It is assumed that as the public/non-profit sector grows, families will become less reliant on for-profit providers. However, without direct government involvement in the start up of new child care spaces, it is highly unlikely that jurisdictions will meet their expansion goals.
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THE PUBLIC ADVANTAGE

Publicly-operated child care does not have the same staffing challenges as other providers. Similar to teachers in public education, public child care is able to offer staff the option to remain working directly with children or to pursue related career paths within the public network or with other public service divisions. This enables public child care to attract and retain professional staff.
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PROFESSIONAL DENSITY AND LEADERSHIP

Public child care is more likely to have a comprehensive management structure allowing educators to focus on children and families. Supported by a resourced management team, centre supervisors are able to provide day-to-day pedagogical leadership and family support, and undertake community outreach.

CENTRES OF EXCELLENCE

Public child care is also well suited to help community child care agencies through mentoring, resource sharing, training, and/or a combination of similar supports. It has the potential to act as centres of excellence, piloting and refining new initiatives.

For example, Toronto's Early Learning and Child Care Services partnered with George Brown College's School of Early Childhood to design and deliver training for community providers in Ontario's curriculum framework to reinforce the transition from theme-based pedagogy to a child-centred, play-based learning approach. Toronto's Children's Services also supported the modelling of the early learning framework, teaching teams and extended-day options adapted for full-day Kindergarten in Ontario.

In addition, public child care is more likely to have the capacity to support research and development. The Assessment for Quality Improvement, the only made-in-Canada tool designed to assess all aspects of play-based learning in early childhood settings, was jointly developed by Toronto's Children's Services and researchers at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto. The tool is publicly available at no cost and city staff help train other jurisdictions in its use.

EMERGENCY RESPONSE TO COVID-19

As part of a larger public structure, public child care is able to mobilize around emergencies, including those related to natural disasters, families experiencing homelessness, or the arrival of refugees. The value of public child care became clear during the unprecedented circumstances presented by the COVID-19 pandemic. The capacity of public programs to respond in an emergency was not paralleled by the rest of the sector.

As recovery from the pandemic evolves, the challenge of an even greater shortage of child care spaces and actions to stabilize the child care sector will require urgent public intervention.
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EFFICIENCY

Public operators spend significantly more of their budgets on their staff but display significant efficiencies due to centralized administration. They also benefit from economies of scale in their ability to buy food and supplies in bulk.

A comparison of budget breakdowns in publicly-operated programs compared to other types of operators shows that 93% of budgets are devoted to salaries and benefits, with the remainder used for administration, food, and supplies. No other comparison group comes close to this in terms of the portion spent on salaries and benefits. The operating efficiencies in terms of lower administrative cost are notable, even compared to large multi-site operators that should also benefit from economies of scale.
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EARNING DIFFERENTIALS

Child care is a sector dominated by women, many of whom are racialized. The efficiencies made possible in publicly-operated child care provide for significantly higher earnings for staff compared to those working in centres operated by other types of employers. Salaries in public child care are in line with the average for employees with similar education levels in non-STEM fields.
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UNIONIZATION

Staff working in publicly-operated centres are more likely to enjoy the benefits of unionization. Child care unionization outside of the public sector is uncommon. Those programs next-most-likely to be unionized are stand-alone non-profit and larger agencies that offer child care only. Commercial programs and those providing child care along with a range of other social and community services are least likely to be unionized.
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V. Voices From the Sector
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Click here for summary of recent surveys.

Nova Scotia's Pre-primary school program recruited a third of its workforce from qualified ECEs who returned to the profession. Many who had left the province took advantage of the employment opportunities in Pre-primary to return to Nova Scotia.

VI. Steps for Success

Educators' work environments are children's learning environments

Children depend on educators who are not only skilled, but also have their own well-being and needs supported. Just as children's environments can support or impede their learning, educators' work environments can promote or hinder educator practices, ongoing skill development, and the overall quality of the learning environment.

The status of the early childhood education workforce and the quality of programming where small children spend their days are interdependent. Educators who express significantly less economic worry and higher levels of adult well-being work in programs rated higher in quality. In turn, higher quality ratings are associated with staff being more likely to promote children's learning.

RECOMMENDATIONS

CREATING AN EARLY LEARNING AND CHILD CARE SECTOR COUNCIL

Taken together, the above recommendations create the foundation for early learning and child care sector councils. Bringing together governments, associations of child care operators, training institutions, and ECE professional organizations would provide opportunities for consultation and problem solving as new child care systems emerge.

Decent work should be more than just a slogan; it must be the foundation of equitable and concerted public policies. Governments must prioritize decent work through strong legislation and equitable policies to ensure that children receive the high-quality early education and care they deserve.

Terminology

The early childhood education workforce refers to persons working in early childhood services, including regulated group and home child care, Aboriginal Head Start, family support programs, settlement and health services, academia (training colleges and research), government administration and oversight, as well as school-operated Kindergarten, Pre-Kindergarten, Early Kindergarten, Junior Kindergarten, Nursery School, Pre-primary, Maternelle, and parent and child centres.

Early childhood educator (ECE) is the professional designation for individuals with post-secondary qualifications in early childhood development.

Qualified educators/workforce includes persons with post-secondary credentials in early childhood development.

Child care workers/workforce includes persons working in regulated group and home child care. Not all persons working with children in regulated child care are qualified ECEs.

Click here for a full list of terms and definitions.

¹ This paper uses the terms "regulated" and "licensed" interchangeably to refer to group child care services covered under provincial/territorial legislation.

² Malatest, R., (2017). Workforce Study for Early Years and Child Care Employees Final Report. Toronto: Ministry of Education.

³ Statistics Canada, 2016 Census of Population, Statistics Canada Catalogue no. 98-400-X2016280.

⁴ Whitebook, M., Schlieber, M., Hankey, A., Auston, L.J.E.& Philipp, G. (2018). Teachers' Voices: Work Environment Conditions That Impact Teacher Practice and Program Quality -New York. Berkeley, CA: Center for the Study of Child Care Employment, University of California, Berkeley.

ECE Workforce Quiz

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ABOUT THIS REPORT In 2021, the Government of Canada committed to providing sustained funding to provinces and territories to expand access to more affordable child care. The ultimate goal is to create a Canada-wide early learning and child care plan to drive economic growth, support women's workforce participation, and give every Canadian child a head start.

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Paige is facilitating this week.

( Week of July 15th-19th )

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Paige Is facilitating this week.

( week of July 15-19 )

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Paige, Anna, Alyssa, Jiao