Wage Enhancement Response
Sep 14, 2021
On Monday August 23, 2021 ECEBC received an email from the Childcare BC Stakeholder Engagement team titled Increase to ECE Wage Enhancement. View ECEBC's response letter.
Wages & Benefits
ECEBC continues to address the inadequate wages and benefits that have contributed to the challenge we now face recruiting and retaining qualified Early Childhood Educators in BC. View reports, campaigns and research being carried out by ECEBC and like-minded organizations, to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issues and potential solutions.
Wages & benefits are intrinsically linked to the labour market. Learn more about the labour market sector initiative:
ECE Wage Grid Report
Inadequate wages have led to the challenge we now face recruiting and retaining qualified ECEs. Current wage enhancements have not meaningfully or equitably increased wages. Further, the federal government and most provincial governments, including BC, are committed to expanding access to child care - which will require even more qualified ECEs. Clearly we need a different approach.
This project considered the design and implementation of a wage grid for certified educators working in licensed child care programs. The project team conducted a literature review, interviewed key informants, and evaluated wage grids and ECE wage policies across Canada. We analyzed the results to determine the current state of ECE wages in Canada, including efforts to increase ECE wages, and the best practices in developing an ECE wage grid. Based on these results, we made specific recommendations for BC.
Project findings confirm that a competitive, publicly funded provincial wage grid not only raises wages, but provides consistency and recognition of the essential and valuable work of ECEs. We have foundations in place to help us build this ECE wage grid in BC. And our recommended wages provide an immediate next step since higher wages are needed now.
$25 An Hour Plan
Wages & Benefits In The Sector
The Early Childhood field is in crisis in BC - many Early Childhood Educators are leaving the field and it is difficult to recruit new people. Research shows and your voices tell us that this is occurring because of wages/benefits that are too low to make a fair wage commensurate with your education and level of responsibility. Based on the Sector Survey carried out in 2016, the Early Childhood Educators of BC has revised recommendations for fair compensation in the form of the $25anHour Campaign.
Download the PDF of Sharable Materials for more information.
If you have any further questions please contact us.
Research
Early Learning and Care & Strong Start Centre Research
Board members of the Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (ECEBC) developed and disseminated a survey to early childhood educators throughout the province in 2008. The purpose of the survey was centered on gathering current and relevant information, specifically regarding wages and working conditions, and general information regarding philosophical approaches in providing care and early learning to young children and their families.
Download the PDF of Survey Outcomes for more information.
If you have any further questions please contact us.
Latest Wages & Benefits News
ECE Wage Grid Report
Jun 16, 2020
Inadequate wages have led to the challenge we now face recruiting and retaining qualified ECEs. Current wage enhancements have not meaningfully or equitably increased wages. Further, the federal government and most provincial governments, including BC, are committed to expanding access to child care - which will require even more qualified ECEs. Clearly we need a different approach.