Update from BC: New Study on ECE Wages

We have some intriguing updates to share from the childcare sector in BC! The Coalition of Child Care Advocates of BC and Early Childhood Educators of BC have released a new Briefing Note, shedding light on the critical need for an updated Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Wage Grid in British Columbia (BC). This is a crucial step towards addressing the ongoing child care crisis and expanding child care programs across the province.

The Current Situation

While the BC government has committed to developing an ECE wage grid, progress has been slow, hindering the creation of new child care programs. The Briefing Note outlines two key findings:

1. BC lags behind other provinces: BC is trailing behind other provinces in terms of implementing an ECE wage grid. Shockingly, six other provinces have already implemented wage grids!

1. The need for competitive wages: To attract and retain qualified ECEs, the recommended wages for BC’s promised grid should range from $30 to $40 per hour, based on qualifications, experience, and years of employment.

The Impact

The study revealed that some qualified ECEs in BC are earning as little as $20.75 per hour. Despite existing government top-ups, the average wage for ECEs with a post-secondary certificate or diploma, who directly work with children, was a meager $24.32 per hour in 2022. To address the staffing crisis and meet the urgent demand for quality child care, wages for many ECEs need to be increased by at least $10 per hour.

By raising wages to a competitive level of $30 to $40 per hour, the province can address the staffing crisis and provide families with access to quality child care. 

Read the Briefing Note for detailed information about the study and wages for early childhood educators in BC.