Early childhood educators continue to push for change in a crucial industry.
Wednesday was early childhood educator (ECE) appreciation day. The workers play a key role in the development of children attending licenced child care centres, kindergartens, recreation and family support programs.
But finding qualified people for the job has proven to be a challenge in recent years.
“When we put out postings, we’re getting fewer and fewer applicants,” said Lori Prospero, CEO of Rising Oaks Early Learning in Kitchener, Ont.
Wage woes
“The biggest thing that I think we need to address is the workforce compensation piece,” Prospero said. “While nonprofits, like us at Rising Oaks, while we can invest in our workforce and put it in a wage grid, we can only do so much with the funding that we have.”