In this session, Kerry McCuaig, Fellow in Early Childhood Policy at the Atkinson Centre/OISE, examines how changes in ECE delivery are tracked, with a focus on the UK model. Survey findings on child care providers, staffing, and parent fees highlight how data can inform policies to enhance accessibility, affordability, and support for the ECE workforce.
This Atkinson Centre blog examines the struggles faced by Early Childhood Educators in Canada, who face low wages, part-time work, and limited career prospects. With a growing child care workforce shortage, this blog suggests that better pay could be the key to enhancing job satisfaction, retaining educators and addressing the increasing demand for new child care spaces.
In this article, Dr. Emis Akbari and Kerry McCuaig highlight the paradox in Canada’s child care system: despite government efforts to increase affordability through policies, access remains a challenge for families due to limited availability, long waitlists, and inadequate infrastructure. They emphasize the need for continued investment and policy adjustments to ensure accessibility for all.
This Atkinson Centre blog highlights the workforce challenges facing Northern Ontario's early childhood education sector. Despite the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care agreement aiming to improve access and affordability, issues still persist. The blog emphasizes the need for tailored situations, including fair wages, better funding models, and policies that address Northern Ontario to ensure access to quality child care.
This Atkinson Centre weekly blog explores the Knowing Our Numbers study, revealing critical challenges in Ontario's early childhood education workforce. The study reveals a workforce under stress due to severe staffing shortages, burnout, and low wages, with minimal wage increases despite federal funding. Knowing Our Numbers provides key insights which are crucial to shaping policies to better support the sector.
This Atkinson Centre blog discusses Canada’s struggle to balance affordable child care with maintaining quality. As the country moves toward $10/day child care, a study reveals concerns among educators about working conditions, with some unwilling to recommend their own centres. The blog also critiques how funding prioritizes lowering parent fees over supporting a qualified workforce.
Savard-Shaw et al. (2024) highlight a critical issue in the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care program: increased demand has exposed labour and infrastructure shortages. It highlight’s Canada’s lack of trained early childhood educators and insufficient child care spaces. The article calls for more financial support for families, urging stronger investments to address these challenges in the coming years.
Ontario’s $10-a-day child care program aims to improve accessibility, but a shortage of ECEs threatens its success. Dr. Emis Akbari and Kerry McCuaig highlight low wages and poor conditions as key issues, driving ECEs out and deterring graduates. Without better pay and support, Ontario’s goal of expanding affordable and high-quality child care will remain unattainable.
This article discusses a report to the Timiskaming Social Services Board, highlighting challenges in the early childhood education sector, including staffing shortages, low wages, burnout, and limited professional development. Despite province-wide trends, Timiskaming’s higher retention rates suggest local strategies could inform broader solutions across Canada.
