Shani Halfon, October 2014
This brief summarizes what is known about the childcare workforce in Canada, the implications of this for regulated childcare, and identifies some considerations and strategies to address the ongoing issues and improve the overall state of ECEC. A summary of the relevant research and data leads to the conclusion that a coordinated and comprehensive strategy is needed to address the multiple and interconnected variables that impact the working conditions of those in the childcare workforce.
The Moving Child Care Forward project, funded by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada’s Connections program, is designed to broaden and deepen debate and understanding of early childhood education and child care (ECEC) policy issues. The project’s goals: knowledge mobilization to promote research, inform public and policy dialogue and to develop effective responses to complex policy issues to better serve young children and their families.