The shortage of qualified early childhood educators (ECEs) continues to be a pressing issue across Ontario, as the percentage of registered early childhood educators (RECEs) working within child-care centers declines. A recent report from the Ministry of Education highlights this trend, indicating the province's distance from achieving its objectives set by the national $10-a-day child-care program.
When discussing the specifics, the report shows there has been a rise in the total number of RECEs working within Ontario child-care programs, increasing by 3,488 since March 31, 2022. Yet, this increase has been overshadowed by the growth of non-ECE staff, which rose by 4,426 during the same period. The statistics reveal troubling news: the proportion of RECEs among full-time staff decreased from 58.9% to 56%. This drop moves Ontario farther from the 60% goal it agreed upon with the federal government when it signed onto the national program, which aims to lower child-care fees and broaden access to services.
Alana Powell, the executive director of the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario, highlighted the challenge of retention, stating, "Unfortunately, it's not totally surprising, because RECEs have been telling us for years... wages and working conditions are their biggest challenge, and the reason many of them are leaving the sector." Powell's insights reflect broader concerns within the industry, as early childhood educators often cite inadequate compensation and lack of benefits as significant reasons for leaving. Many professionals exit the field not just due to low wages but the absence of health benefits, retirement options, and other compensatory structures.
To address the issue, Ontario has set a wage floor for RECEs, aiming for $24.86 per hour by 2025. Still, advocates stress this isn't enough. They are calling for higher wages, the establishment of a wage grid, as well as pensions and benefits as necessary steps to improve recruitment and retention within the sector.
The Ministry's recent report emphasizes the urgency of hiring additional RECEs, forecasting the need for approximately 14,700 new educators by 2025-26 to meet the demands of the program's full fee reductions. When this reduction is finalized, parents will benefit from child-care fees dropping to approximately $10 daily by March 2026, with current fees averaging about $19 and capped at $22.
The challenges extend beyond staffing shortages. Andrea Hannen, the executive director of the Association of Day Care Operators of Ontario, voiced concerns about the viability of licensed centers, stating, "It's probably the biggest barrier... because if you don't have all your rooms open, you're paying for space that's not generating any revenue for you." Many centers struggle to maintain operations at full capacity, complicate efforts to expand services under the $10-a-day initiative.
Ontario's government has committed to creating 86,000 new spaces within the program by the end of 2026. So far, just under 28,000 of those spaces have been developed, indicating there is quite a way to go. The federal government recently announced up to $1 billion will be available through low-cost loans intended for public and not-for-profit child-care providers to construct or renovate facilities. Despite this financial support, loans are not expected to be disbursed until spring 2025, leaving centers to navigate the pressing demand for spaces without immediate relief.
Jenna Sudds, the federal minister responsible for families, children, and social development, acknowledged the challenging road ahead, saying Ontario has "quite a bit of work" remaining to fulfill its commitment to add new spaces. She reassured the public of the available funds but emphasized the expectation for provincial accountability and commitment to the targets.
Further complicate matters is Ontario's limitation on the percentage of for-profit spaces allowed under its agreement with the federal government. Peel Region has already turned down over 2,000 potential spaces as they were linked to for-profit operators, exemplifying the challenge this poses to meeting the child-care demand. Education Minister Jill Dunlop noted, "Not-for-profit providers play an important role... but our municipal partners have told us they cannot fill the demand alone, which is why we are advocating for more flexibility."
Meanwhile, Sudds remains firm on the issue, stating, "What I can say very clearly is I will not be removing the cap," emphasizing both the need for high-quality care and the potential risks associated with for-profit models.
Despite the challenges outlined, the early childhood education sector remains committed to adapting and improving. The latest figures from the Ministry of Education indicate the last few years have seen moderate gains, yet the importance of addressing the current challenges cannot be understated. Ensuring adequate staffing levels is integral not only to support young children's growth but also to help alleviate parents' concerns about reliable, high-quality child care.
With the federal government maintaining its support and the province strategizing on how to meet its care requirements, all eyes will remain on Ontario as it navigates through the educator shortage and strives to fulfill its ambitious goals within the child-care system.
