The recent “You Bet We Still Care” report substantiates the need for better wages for Early Childhood Education (ECE) professionals if we are ever to tackle the issue of recruitment and retention. Yet there are varying opinions on what should be done to address the issue of professional pay for ECEs.
The provincial government has responded to this pressing issue by introducing a new wage enhancement grant that will increase wages for some ECEs and staff working in regulated child care, but many questions remain about how to equitably raise the compensation of all ECEs across a variety of settings.
The AECEO is taking the lead in bringing the various perspectives to the foreground by calling on sector stakeholders to share their views and be a part of the constructive dialogue.
Panel Representation:
Moderated by Dr. Goranka Vukelich
Shani Halfon, RECE, MA, Interim Coordinator, Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario
Dr. Donna Lero, Jarislowsky Chair in Families and Work Centre for Families, University of Guelph Chair, Expert Panel on Quality and Human Resources
Shellie Bird, Education Officer, CUPE Local 2204, Child Care Workers, Ottawa Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities Committee
Laura Coulman, Child Care Planning and Policy Analyst Child Care Services, County of Wellington
Martha Friendly, Executive Director, Childcare Research and Resource Unit