News : Details

Early Childhood Workers in PEI Getting Two Per Cent Raise (via The Guardian)

May 6th, 2016

Cace Power, left, and Colton Finnamore draw with chalk at the Milestone Early Years and Child Care Centre. Guardian file photo.

by Teresa Wright
Published on May 05, 2016

 

Early childhood educators who work at provincial early years centres are getting a two per cent raise, starting in July.

It’s the first wage increase these childcare workers have received in six years.

Sonya Hooper, executive director of the Early Childhood Development Association, says this is welcome news, but notes this is a one-time increase with no commitment for future increases.

“It’s a great step, a salary increase at a time of restraint is always welcome news,” she said.

She noted P.E.I.’s preschool excellence initiative is considered to be one of the best in Canada.

“But there’s still lots of work to do.”

This wage increase is only applicable to early childhood educators who work in the 44 provincially sponsored daycares, known as early years centres.

Government supports these centres through yearly grants covering approximately 40 per cent of operating costs.  

Childcare workers in other, privately owned licensed centres will not benefit from this wage increase.

Education Minister Doug Currie acknowledged there is work to do to expand and improve conditions within the province’s highly regarded early childhood education system.

That’s why he says this $300,000 investment into raises for childcare workers marks a renewed focus on the sector, including the re-starting of the P.E.I. preschool excellence initiative.

“I recognize as minister it’s been about six years since we’ve made any further investments, so I think there is a significant opportunity aligned with the federal government to continue to make investments in the early childhood sector here in Prince Edward Island,” Currie said.

He met with Atlantic ministers responsible for the early childhood sector last weekend and says there were a number of common themes that emerged from those conversations.

The Atlantic ministers are sending a joint letter outlining their priorities to Jean-Yves Duclos, federal minister for families, children and social development.

Phase two of the preschool excellence initiative will start soon. An early learning and child care advisory committee will make recommendations on the future direction of early learning and child care in the province.

Further wage increases for child care workers, more early years centres across the province and more childcare spaces for infants and children with special needs will be key areas of priority, Currie said.

“I really believe in this sector and I believe this is a pivotal opportunity for us to invest in our zero-to-four years and to continue to strengthen the K-12 system.”

 

Teresa.wright@tc.tc
Twitter.com/GuardianTeresa