With the introduction of the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) system, there is a new funding model for licensed child care in Ontario, including some new wage improvement funds for Registered Early Childhood Educators (RECEs) working in licensed child care.
The OCBCC, in collaboration with the Association of Early Childhood Educators Ontario, has put together a fact sheet to clarify the impact of this new wage improvement funding on staff in a variety of scenarios.
The summary is provided in the interest of public information, and should not be taken as an endorsement of this wage funding system. We know that these new wage improvement funds are insufficient to address the low wages and workforce retention and recruitment issues currently facing in the child care sector. To adequately address the child care workforce shortage, we need a workforce strategy that provides decent work and pay for all Early Years and Child Care staff.
The OCBCC and AECEO will continue to advocate for a real workforce strategy that includes:
- All Early Years and Child Care workers and providers, including those in Extended Day Programs, home child care and EarlyON programs;
- A salary scale starting at $25 per hour for all child care workers and $30 per hour for RECEs;
- Paid sick days;
- Paid professional development time;
- Paid programming time.
Note that this document is provided for general information only and should not replace specific information you have received from your employer or Human Resources department. If you have any questions about how this specifically applies to you, please consult with your employer. Unionized centres with Collective Agreements are advised by the Government of Ontario to seek legal consultation on the application of these policies.