“I drive a 2012 Volkswagen, nothing fancy. I live in a small house with my husband. I don’t have name brand clothes or expensive furniture. I look at my paycheck every two weeks and want to cry.
The pay I receive as a full time RECE, barely covers my bills every month. Plus I have to spend my own money to provide materials for my classroom because I am told, “it’s not in the budget”.
I am pregnant with my first child. I have to go back to work after 6 months after having my baby because my husband and I can’t afford for me to be off for 1 year. I cry about this a lot. I stress every day about how we will afford a child and child care on my salary.
I love my job so much but it is also the reason I stay up at night worrying about my future and the future of my baby.
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Jenna is not alone. So many ECEs, child care staff and providers, and parents are forced to make impossible decisions to balance their careers and family needs. It doesn’t have to be like this. There is a more fair and just way for us to live, and it involves a national child care program with decent work for educators and affordable fees for parents. Time is up – children, families, educators and communities deserve it now.
Share your story. Sign the petition. Rise up for child care. https://www.childcareontario.org/risingup