The Family Supports Institute of Ontario (FSIO), in partnership with the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario (AECEO), is launching a province-wide campaign—including a formal petition— calling on the Government of Ontario to establish a comprehensive salary grid that ensures equitable recognition for RECEs, Legacy Practitioners, and staff working in EarlyON Child and Family Centres and family support programs.

Learn more on the FSIO website. 

Under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) Agreement, the Governments of Canada and Ontario committed to strengthening the early years workforce through targeted compensation investments. As a result, wage enhancement funding is available to Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) and other eligible staff working in licensed centre- and home-based childcare settings.

However, EarlyON Child and Family Centre and family support staff are excluded from these wage enhancement programs, despite being required to hold RECE qualifications and deliver services guided by the same How Does Learning Happen? pedagogy as our colleagues working in licensed child care.

To address this inequity, the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario (AECEO) and the Family Supports Institute Ontario (FSIO) have launched a petition calling on the Legislative Assembly of Ontario to extend equitable wage enhancements to EarlyON and family support RECEs, legacy practitioners, and other eligible staff. This action is essential to support compensation stability, wage parity, and professional recognition for those who play a critical role in Ontario's early learning and care system.

In order for this petition to be formally presented to the Legislative Assembly, it must follow these requirements. Once completed, please mail the original signed petition to:

Family Supports Institute Ontario (FSIO) 
100 Wheatfield Road
Toronto, ON M8V 2P8

We are hopeful that our members, partners, and supporters will bring this message to their elected representatives. Check out the MPP Meeting Toolkit made especially for this campaign to find tips and resources for setting up and preparing for a meeting. If you are able to schedule a meeting with your MPP, we invite you to let the AECEO and FSIO know so our teams can support you in this action, and showcase the incredible community advocacy taking place on this issue.

Learn more and support this campaign: 

• Read and share the campaign advocacy brief
• Joint letter from FSIO and AECEO to the Minister of Education
• Print the petition, sign, collect physical signatures
• Check out the MPP Meeting Toolkit to prepare to meet with your elected representative 

If you have any questions about this campaign, or want to share about your experience advocating on this issue, please send an email to [email protected] and [email protected]