Press Release: Announcement of Project

Media Release May 3rd, 2019

BC Childcare Sector Labour Market Partnership: Announcement of Evaluation Project

The Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC) is pleased to announce the approval of the “Sector-led Evaluation of the Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy in British Columbia”. This project builds on the “BC Childcare Sector Labour Market Partnership Engagement Report” and funding for this project is being provided through the Canada-British Columbia Labour Market Development Agreement as part of the Sector Labour Market Partnerships program with the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills and Training.

The Province of BC is making a $136 million-dollar investment in an Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy (ECL R&R Strategy) for BC’s Early Childhood Educator (ECE) sector. This is part of their larger 10-year plan to increase the quality and availability of childcare spaces in BC. “Professionals in early childhood education are in-demand and play a key role in our government’s commitment to affordable, accessible and close to home childcare which is vital to the future of our province,” said Melanie Mark, Minister for Advanced Education, Skills & Training. “We’re investing in a recruitment and retention strategy so early childhood educators are supported and valued, which will ultimately make life better for families in British Columbia”

The goal of the Evaluation Project is to enable a continuous feedback mechanism for sector feedback on the direct and indirect impacts of the ECL R&R strategy on the BC's child care workforce and the strategy tactics as they are implemented throughout the BC. The evaluation project will take place over four years and will include direct input from childcare providers.

The Social Research Demonstration Corporation has been hired by ECEBC to perform the evaluation. A Sector Governance Committee made up of individuals involved in the diverse aspects of childcare in BC as well as an inter-governmental committee will lend their expertise to the project.

The Early Childhood Educators of BC advances early childhood education and educators in the province of British Columbia. We provide professional development opportunities, training, and resources for early childhood educators across the province. We support early childhood
educators to inform the broader community about their work. We are dedicated to building respect for early childhood education and educators. “This project is a fantastic opportunity for our diverse sector to come together and to share their insights of impacts of the R&R Strategy labour market policies and initiatives. We are excited to collaborate and support understanding of the ECE labour force.” Emily Gawlick, Executive Director of the Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC).

The Sector Labour Market Partnerships program provides “funding to organizations within an economic sector, region, or population, to develop projects that help respond to workforce challenges.” For more information about SLMP projects, see https://www.workbc.ca/EmployerResources/Funding-and-Programs/Sector-Labour-Market-Partnerships.aspx

Media Contact:
Emily Gawlick, Executive Director
Early Childhood Educators of BC
Tel: 778-994-8001

ECEBC Press Release May 3, 2019