ECEBC Submits Recommendations for BC Budget 2027

Early Childhood Educators of BC

Province of BC Budget Submission June 2027
 

The Early Childhood Educators of BC has submitted recommendations for BC Budget 2027, calling on the provincial government to continue their commitment and investments to the early years by expanding  investments to the universal child care system that supports and values the work of early childhood educators.  Our submission highlights the below three priority areas. 

These recommendations reflect ECEBCs ongoing commitment to advancing the profession of early childhood education by collaboratively engaging in innovative policy development, research, and education, that uphold  our ethics, values, principles, and obligations. In addition, this submission, while brief, reaffirms ECEBCs commitment to educators and the types of spaces we collectively want to create for children.

ECEBC leads in the co-creation of a future that values early childhood education and has key obligations that are infused and activated throughout our work, particularly creating a universal child care system. Recent research clearly indicates that the expansion of ELCC services is contributing positively to Canada’s economic performance and is an essential component of BC economic growth.

1. Early Childhood Educator Workforce:
   • Publicly release a comprehensive multi year workforce strategy
   • Implement robust working conditions and a wage grid that acknowledges education and experience ($35-$45 per hour) including benefits, pension and ongoing professional development.
   • Continue funding ECE student bursaries
2. Universal Child Care Accessibility and Affordability:
   • Ministry of Education and Child Care responsible for the planned expansion of child care programs
   • All new programs should be public assets and honour the inherent rights of Indigenous Peoples in British Columbia, including with respect to governance over the design and delivery of early learning and child care (ELCC) services
   • One operating model that reflects diverse program realities
   • All child care programs are $10aDay
3. Ensuring Quality Universal Child Care, support the profession:
   • Require ECE assistants to complete their ECE certification within 5 years
   • Release updated ECE occupational standards & competencies
   • Ensure Best Choices Ethical Journey course is mandatory.
   • Embed pedagogist work into the child care framework
   • Continue funding for early years research, ex. EDI