“I was recently terminated from my position at a for-profit child care centre due to low enrolment. Along with four other educators we were told of our termination- via email. I understand the pandemic makes in-person meetings difficult, but a phone call would have been nice.
For a business that claims to thrive on the idea of being part of a “family” getting fired this way felt so cold. We have put so much time and even our own money into our classrooms. You develop emotional ties with the children. Yet educators are seen as disposable through email afterthoughts.
On top of that, my co-workers that still have their jobs are being stretched thin. People assigned earlier as cleaners/screeners are now periodically in the classrooms teaching and also periodically cooking in the kitchen. The centre has now increased enrolment and is over-working the current staff. One of my ECE co-workers is working nine-and-a-half-hour days. They have no supply teachers on hand so staff feel like they can’t get a day off.
Younger children are being put into rooms they are too young for, just to avoid having to open another room. Fitting in more families seems to be a priority, but treating staff properly is a bottom-tier issue. I worry for my co-workers well-being and mental health.”
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Educators are not disposable. It is the early childhood workforce that is the key to quality in child care. And yet they are being underpaid, disrespected and stretched to the limit. We must change and build a child care system that puts decent work at its core.
Share your story. Sign the petition. Rise up for child care. https://www.childcareontario.org/risingup