“I had my daughter at a young age, and quickly after having her I realized all I wanted was to work with small children. Nothing gave me more joy than watching her grow, and to see how the experiences and opportunities I brought to her shaped and molded her into the wonderful child she is today.
I started school when she was only 9 months old. For two years I soaked in all the information from my lectures and placements, achieving good grades and a “most likely to make a difference in the field of Early Childhood Education” award at the end of college.
Fast forward 5 years. I now have two more children. Two more mouths to feed. Two more daycare fees. Two more tiny bodies to clothe. And unfortunately, because I made the choice to bring 3 children into the world, I am conflicted between working a job I love, and quitting… continuing my education, and pursuing a job that will allow for me to afford to make my bills, clothe myself as well as my children, and maybe think about saving money to take my kids to Disneyland one day…
Maybe…
Today’s children are tomorrow’s future. We need them to succeed, to strive to be their best. Quality Early Childhood Educators who are passionate and driven are the ones who are shaping these small minds with big potential. If these hard working Early Childhood Educators are pushed aside and taken advantage of then our children could fall into under-qualified hands. Parents and educators alike need a system that is working for them… not us working for the system.
Value educators and the children of tomorrow WILL succeed.
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We know children, families, and educators deserve better than the status-quo. The federal government has announced their commitment to a national child care care plan, while our provincial government is proposing regulation changes that threaten to undermine the early childhood profession and quality of our programs. This is why we are rising up together – for children, families, and educators.
Share your story. Sign the petition. Rise up for child care. https://www.childcareontario.org/risingup