British Columbia’s early childhood educators (ECE) will be getting a raise to begin 2024.
On New Year’s Day, eligible ECEs working at participating licensed child care facilities will receive a $2-per-hour raise, based on hours worked in December 2023.
It’s the latest in a series of increases to the ECE Wage Enhancement that have increased the median wage for ECEs to around $28 per hour, the Province says.
Grace Lore, BC’s minister of state for child care, says the Province is taking steps to ensure compensation continues to grow for ECEs, who play a vital role in children’s early development.
“We look forward to introducing and refining a wage grid as we test a new funding model to help us continue to build child care as a core service here in BC,” Lore explained.
“While we do this work, these new investments will provide people working in this important sector with a much-needed boost."
The Province says it will start testing the first iteration of a wage grid funding model at select child care centres before the end of 2023.
In addition to the January 2024 raise, ECEs who hold an infant toddler educator or special needs educator certification through the ECE Registry will be able to apply for additional wages.
Those with one of the two certificates can apply for a further $2,000 per year, while ECEs with both will be eligible for $3,000 per year.
"If we are to succeed in building an early learning and child care system for families across the country, we need a dedicated, well-compensated and valued early childhood workforce," said Jenna Sudds, federal minister of families, children and social development.
"Today's announcement is an important step to recognize the early childhood educators who help take care of children in the province. I look forward to the continued efforts by provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to recruit, retain and recognize this vital workforce."
