“I have been an ECE for the last 15 years and have yet to hold a full-time position. My career began in a supply Educator position, and for five years I struggled to obtain a full-time position as they were few and far between. Eventually I was forced to leave my job that I loved.
After my second child it became almost impossible to pay for childcare for 2 children with the uncertainty supply work brings. Still with full-time positions limited I spent the next 5 years in contracts for before and after school programs as a Supervisor, being a contract part time staff I didn’t receive any benefits. The odd hours forced my husband to switch to night shifts because again we could not afford childcare with my part time hours, I was also denied subsidy because I didn’t work enough.
Five years of night shifts began to have a negative impact on my husband’s health and we made the decision to move away from the city. Now 15 years into my career I am working 2 part time jobs, 6 days a week as an RECE, I still receive no health benefits, vacation time or sick days.
When I became an Early Childhood Educator I never imagined that I couldn’t afford childcare for my own children.
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We know that the storyteller is not alone. We know others in our sector are forced to make impossible decisions everyday. This is why Ontario needs to be part of a national child care plan that delivers decent work and compensation for educators and affordable child care for families.
Share your story. Sign the petition. Rise up for child care. https://www.childcareontario.org/risingup