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This report reviews how provinces and territories across Canada are addressing early learning and child care workforce challenges through policy. It summarizes actions on wages, benefits, pensions, and workforce development, identifying key differences in how governments are implementing commitments under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreements. The report highlights progress in improving compensation and professionalization but notes that uneven implementation continues to limit equity across jurisdictions. It calls for consistent national standards to ensure all early childhood educators are fairly paid and supported, regardless of where they work.

This report presents the results of province-wide surveys of early childhood educators and centre directors, exploring how wages, benefits, and professional development initiatives have shaped workforce stability since 2019. Findings show significant progress: most directors report higher job satisfaction and improved recruitment and retention following increases to the wage grid, the introduction of pensions, and access to post-secondary programs. Ongoing challenges include staffing shortages in rural areas and difficulties finding substitutes. The study highlights the importance of sustained investments in fair compensation and continuous learning to strengthen PEI’s early childhood workforce.

This study explores the factors shaping recruitment and retention in Hamilton’s early childhood education workforce. Drawing on interviews and survey responses from more than 120 educators, the research finds that low pay, heavy workloads, and limited opportunities for advancement remain significant barriers. Educators reported a lack of respect for their professional role, insufficient staff ratios, and a need for stronger workplace supports and benefits. The report offers concrete recommendations to improve educator well-being, strengthen professional recognition, and ensure sustainable workforce growth in Hamilton’s early learning sector.

This evaluation examines British Columbia’s Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy, part of the province’s ChildCareBC plan. The study draws on survey, census, and administrative data from 2019–2024 to assess progress toward building a stable, well-compensated, and valued ECE workforce. The report highlights modest gains in wages and professional development, alongside persistent staffing shortages and uneven progress toward long-term goals. It concludes with policy recommendations to strengthen career pathways, improve public recognition of ECEs, and align compensation with the broader education sector.

Educator specialization in early childhood, such as having a diploma, degree or certification in areas like child development or education, is often viewed as a marker of program quality. A review of 16 studies involving more than 15,000 preschoolers examined whether this specialization is linked to children’s outcomes. Results showed very few consistent associations. Small positive links were found for children’s language and social skills, but not for mathematics, vocabulary or letter recognition. These findings suggest that while specialization may have some benefits, it is not a strong stand-alone predictor of children’s development.

This paper is the result of a broader study that set out to uncover the innovative changes and practices in ECEC policy, practice, and pedagogy enacted across provincial/territorial boundaries in diverse communities across Canada with the hope of contributing to the ongoing conversation informing the development of a new system of ECEC in Canada.

The New Brunswick Coalition for Pay Equity Inc. is a collective group of individuals and organizations dedicated to securing pay equity for women in undervalued sectors. The organization works through advocacy, policy development, and community outreach to raise awareness and push for economic justice. They aim to address gender-based pay disparities and highlight the value of work performed by women.

The Manitoba Child Care Association (MCCA) is a non-profit, membership-driven organization focused on advocating for high-quality child care and advancing early childhood education as a respected profession. MCCA provides resources and support to its members, aiming to cultivate pride and excitement in being part of a progressive and valued profession in early learning and child care.

The Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia (ECEBC) is an organization dedicated to supporting ECEs in BC. They provide professional development, training, and resources while fostering a community that values early childhood education. ECEBC advocates for the sector by empowering educators through education, collaboration, and leadership.

The Early Childhood Human Resources Council (ECEHRC) is a non-for-profit organization focused on strengthening the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) workforce in Newfoundland and Labrador. The Council works to improve the recruitment and retention of qualified ECEs by providing resources and support to current and future members of the ELCC sector.