“I worked as an ECE teacher for 15 years. Originally I left the field with the intention of just taking a break. Through a series of events I came to be employed as a forklift operator making DOUBLE what I did as an ECE. For that reason, I stayed in my new career. I’ve often thought about how sad a reflection on society it is, that my two chosen careers have been so ridiculously unbalanced. To be an ECE of course, I needed a college diploma which took me 2 years. To be a forklift operator I needed to take a one week training course.
Indeed, there have been times when I felt I wanted to go back into the field of childcare and nursery school. Sadly though, financially, I have become accustomed to my current income, and have no intention of returning.
Our society just doesn’t seem to value early childhood education the way some other countries do, it’s sad to me that this is the same situation we’ve faced since the early 90s and precious little progress has been made.”
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No one should have to choose between a profession they love and being able to pay the bills. It is time for a publicly-funded, universal child care system that ensures decent work and professional pay for ECEs, early years staff and child care providers.
Share your story. Sign the petition. Rise up for child care. https://www.childcareontario.org/risingup