January 19, 2015 – Premier Kathleen Wynne announced today that the Ontario government is increasing wages for early childhood educators and front-line child care professionals in licensed child care settings.

Starting this month, Ontario is implementing a wage increase of $1 per hour for eligible child care workers in the licensed child care sector. Another wage increase is set for next year.

“We value the hard work and dedication of early childhood educators and child care staff across Ontario. This wage increase will help retain these valued caregivers, and support stable, high-quality licensed child care programs for our children.” Commented Liz Sandals, Minister of Education on this initiative.

The increase will help close the wage gap between registered early childhood educators working in full-day kindergarten programs and child care professionals in licensed child care settings. Ontario’s investment to increase wages also supports efforts to recruit and retain highly qualified and talented educators, and supports parents in accessing safe and reliable care for their children.

Supporting families in accessing safe, modern child care is part of the government’s economic plan for Ontario. The four-part plan is building Ontario up by investing in people’s talents and skills, building new public infrastructure like roads and transit, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure savings plan so everyone can afford to retire.

“Parents deserve the peace of mind of knowing their children are in good hands. By investing in early childhood educators, we are supporting nurturing child care environments where children can thrive,” said Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario.

Since 2003, in Ontario access to licensed child care has grown by more than 130,000 spaces. In December, the government passed the Child Care Modernization Act to strengthen oversight of the province’s unlicensed child care sector and increase access to licensed child care options.

YPSWA supports this initiative and encourages early childhood educators and child care staff to continue to provide the best child-care they can give.