PEI’s child care revolution: More spaces and better pay for early childhood educators

The pursuit of affordable childcare solutions across Canada has taken a significant stride with the Government of Canada’s commitment to providing $10-a-day child care for families. This initiative aims to alleviate financial burdens on families and propels economic growth by facilitating parents’ reentry into the workforce. Already demonstrating success in halving childcare fees for Prince Edward Island (PEI) families to an average of $ 20 a day, the government’s comprehensive plan advances, making child care more accessible and economical.

Collaborative announcement on child care advancements: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, alongside PEI’s Premier Dennis King, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Sudds, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay, and PEI’s Minister of Education and Early Years Natalie Jameson, jointly announced substantial investments aimed at expanding child care infrastructure and enhancing the support system for early childhood educators in PEI.

Expansion of licensed child care spaces: Over the coming 18 months, Prince Edward Island is committed to establishing over 300 additional licensed child care spaces within the province’s Early Years Centres. This strategic expansion signifies the dedication to creating conducive learning environments and sets the stage for PEI to make a projected minimum of 530 spaces by March 31, 2026. Recognizing that early childhood educators play a pivotal role in shaping early learning and child care, PEI plans to utilize federal funding to implement wage hikes for these educators within the Early Years Centres, starting October 1, 2023. The objective is to enhance workforce quality and encourage broader childcare service expansion.

Enhancing early childhood educators’ support: To further cement PEI’s commitment to nurturing a skilled and satisfied workforce in the early learning and childcare sector, the province is earmarking $1.18 million annually to establish a defined-contribution pension plan tailored for Early Years Centres employees. This strategic move intends to elevate retention levels and bolster recruitment endeavors, ensuring that qualified and experienced employees remain a cornerstone of the province’s childcare system.

Holistic support for families and economic growth: While progressing towards a comprehensive national early learning and child care framework, Canada continues to provide critical support through initiatives like the Canada Child Benefit. Families are set to receive up to $7,437 per child under six years old and $6,275 per child aged six through 17 this year. In line with these efforts, the Canadian government maintains its dual focus on enhancing families’ financial well-being and stimulating economic prosperity by promoting accessible childcare services.

This multi-faceted approach addresses families’ financial concerns and underscores early childhood educators’ role as crucial pillars in the journey toward a well-rounded and flourishing childcare landscape.