“I have been a RECE for over 5 years now working in licenced centre-based childcare. For four years I worked for an organization that advocated for our profession and I felt valued. I put my heart and soul into building a meaningful and open-ended learning environment for children in my care.
Before the pandemic I had plans to open my own home childcare, knowing we were moving to a new home with the space. I have always wanted to do this! This was a strange time for sure, but it was clear that September 2020 was the right time for me. This is probably the greatest risk I have taken in my career thus far! I love what I do, but I think even more so, I feel deeply that every child deserves a childcare program that offers real, authentic relationships and learning opportunities. I am so grateful for the opportunity to bring that to the children in my care. The problem is, I have no support. I cannot sustain a high-quality childcare program long-term unless the Federal and Provincial governments make change. Not just any change, but forward motion change recommended by childcare advocates and by listening to the stories of people like me.
I have worked diligently for years to show others the importance of my profession. One of the most frustrating parts of my career is knowing that society, even my own family, does not recognize what I do as such. I am not simply entertaining children while their parents are at work. I know, through my own experiences, that supported Early Childhood Educators can play a pivotal role in the lives of young children. ECEs know how to foster children’s intrinsic motivation to learn and we have knowledge of child development. We have a diverse tool-belt of strategies and skills to nurture and provoke early learning opportunities among children.
The topic of childcare has received more attention in the media lately as others discover its importance in getting workers back into the workforce. ECEs have known long before this pandemic just how crucially important child care is, not only for economic needs, but for the needs of children. What is belittling to me is how child care issues are reported. We are rarely recognized as what we are, Registered Early Childhood Educators and Professionals working in the field of Early Learning and Care. If we do not value the work of Early Childhood Educators, what does this say about how we value the youngest members of our communities?”
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We know that valued, appreciated, respected and well-compensated educators with decent work are better positioned to prioritize their pedagogical work with young children. All children, families and educators deserve a well-funded, public child care system that ensures their needs are a priority. We need the Ontario government to work cooperatively with the Federal government to deliver a publicly funded, non profit, universal child care system with decent work for all.
Share your story. Sign the petition. Rise up for child care. https://www.childcareontario.org/risingup