by Ruby Arsenault
Childcare is now becoming more affordable, and with that the demand for seats is increasing. Rates per child have been reduced to $25 a day with a future reduction to $10 a day within the government’s five-year plan.
Even before the price reduction, learning centres carried long waiting lists and struggled to find enough staff. There are many initiatives on the table to further educate individuals and bring ECEs new and seasoned into the sector.
The Accelerated Early Childhood Education Program is offered for current early childhood educators who are eligible to upskill their education to an ECE certificate or diploma.
For individuals interested in starting a new career, the Early Childhood Development Association of PEI‘s Steps to Success program funded through SkillsPEI will provide six months of training and workplace experience to become a level one early childhood educator.
For more information about both programs, including eligibility, financial support and timelines, call Professional Learning Coordinator Megan McPhee at 902-368-1876 or email megan.mcphee@ecdaofpei.ca
The Return to the ECE Profession Grant is new funding that will provide a one-time $5,000 grant to eligible early childhood educators certified at a level three who have worked outside the sector for a minimum of two consecutive years and are ready to rejoin the early years sector.
For more information, contact Doreen Gillis at dgillis@gov.pe.ca
Continuous learning offers better wages
Level 1 – 3 introductory courses: $15.98/hr. After five years, pay increases to $17.55.
Level 2 – ECE certificate: $19.05/hr. After five years, pay increases to $20.78.
Level 3 –ECE diploma: $24.11/hr. After five years, pay increases to $26.06.
Level 4 – Director: a university degree is required.
“With the recent initiatives and investments into the field of Early Childhood Care and Education by both our provincial and federal governments, it is evident that high-quality accessible and inclusive childcare is a top priority,” says Jennifer Nangreaves, Executive Director, ECDA of PEI.
Owner of childcare centre says the biggest concern is finding staff
Early Learning Centre in Tignish putting a call out for more staff
FOR MORE INFORMATION
about the field, visit the Early Childhood Development Association of PEI at www.ecdaofpei.ca
