TORONTO — Ontario is facing a significant workforce crisis as the percentage of registered early childhood educators (RECEs) working in child-care centres continues to decline, pushing the province farther away from achieving its targets under the national $10-a-day program. According to a recent Ministry of Education report, the percentage of full-time staff comprised of RECEs dropped from 58.9 percent to 56 percent, raising concerns about the availability and quality of child care across Ontario.
This decline is happening even as the overall number of RECEs is theoretically increasing, influenced largely by the rise of non-ECE staff filling positions. Alana Powell, executive director of the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Ontario, noted, "RECEs have been telling us for years...wages and working conditions are their biggest challenge, and the reason...they are leaving the sector."
The workforce data reveals troubling trends; for every 3,488 new RECEs since March 31, 2022, there were 4,426 additional non-RECE staff. Powell stresses the importance of improving recruitment and retention efforts as the demand for qualified educators grows. The province aims to create 86,000 new spaces by 2026 to align with the national childcare expansion plan, yet falling numbers of educators could hinder those efforts.
The Ontario government has recognized the pressing need for change, announcing plans to implement a minimum wage for RECEs starting at $24.86 hourly by 2025. This wage floor is part of Ontario’s broader Child Care Workforce Strategy, which aims not only to attract new professionals to the field but also to retain the current workforce. While the increase is seen as a step forward, advocates argue it falls short of what is needed to fully address the challenges facing the sector.
Andrea Hannen, executive director of the Association of Day Care Operators of Ontario, expressed her concern about the impact of workforce shortages on childcare operations. "It's probably the biggest barrier to...the viability of...licensed centres," she stated. Without sufficient staffing, child-care facilities struggle to remain open and can’t contemplate expansion, crippling their ability to meet growing demand.
The Ministry of Education noted the number of licensed spaces achieved so far is 27,993, but it is clear Ontario has "quite a bit of work to do to meet...target," as highlighted by Jenna Sudds, federal minister of families, children and social development. She pointed out the importance of collaborative efforts between federal and provincial governments to create the conditions necessary for this key sector.
One contentious issue remains the proportion of for-profit operators allowed within the program. Education Minister Jill Dunlop argued, "The cost of delivering child care...is among the highest in Canada," indicating greater flexibility is needed for effective expansion. Nonetheless, Sudds firmly states, "I will not be removing the cap," emphasizing the significance of maintaining high-quality standards and protecting the child-care system's integrity.
Many childcare facilities have begun to reassess their operational models, especially amid reports of some centres connected to venture capital firms opting out of the $10-a-day program. This leaves significant uncertainty as parents increasingly rely on these services. Sudds pointed out, "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."
The Ontario childcare sector is at a pivotal crossroads. Advocates and community leaders recognize the need for immediate action to address declining RECE numbers and overall workforce shortages. The $23.86 minimum wage, anticipated to bolster morale and improve working conditions, may play a pivotal role, but whether it can significantly alter the sector's recruitment and retention struggles will remain to be seen.
Transforming Ontario’s childcare system relies not just on financial investments but also on ensuring every child has access to high-quality care, fundamentally tied to the quality and capacity of the workforce behind it.
