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By Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D'Eith

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SOUND OFF: Giving childcare professionals a boost

Nov 8, 2023 | 10:30 AM

THERE IS NOTHING MORE IMPORTANT than making sure our children are cared for.

A part of making sure that British Columbians have quality child care is hiring qualified professionals, who treat our kids with compassion and are trained to provide the best care possible for infants, toddlers and children. To attract and retain these qualified professionals, they need to be fairly compensated.

That’s why Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) working at eligible licensed childcare facilities are getting another $2 per hour raise in addition to the existing raise of $4 per hour. Starting this January, more than 12,000 ECE’s across the province will be able to benefit from this wage increase.

In addition to helping more ECEs thrive with this wage increase, we’re also developing an annual Specialized Certification Grant. ECEs with specialized training are essential to ensuring British Columbians have access to quality, inclusive child care. That’s why we’re making sure these professionals get recognized for their skills and are eligible for up to $3,000 in grants per year.

Since the B.C. New Democrats were elected to government in 2017, we’ve made it a priority to strengthen our childcare system by adding more spaces and centres across the province, making significant cuts to childcare fees, adding more $10-a-day spaces, and supporting childcare providers across the province.

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We know quality, affordable child care improves the lives of families when parents can afford to put their children in care. It allows parents to pursue work or school while helping kids socialize and stay engaged. ECEs are skilled professionals that support children, families, communities and the economy. Early childhood educators are vital to building a stronger B.C. for everyone.

By adding more than 32,000 childcare spaces and thousands of $10-a-day spaces, our government is reducing childcare fees up to $900 per month for families with children aged five and under. We are also bringing additional fee reductions by expanding savings to before-and after-school care.

In my own riding of Maple Ridge-Mission, I know we have amazing childcare providers doing one of the most important jobs they can — looking after our children. I’m very grateful for ECEs in my community and across the province.

We can’t reach our childcare goals without ECEs. By increasing support for childcare professionals, we’re helping make reliable, quality and affordable child care a core service for families in British Columbia.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.