HALIFAX: Early childhood educators (ECEs) and employees working in licensed child-care centres will now receive health benefits and a pension for the first time ever.
The provincial government is raising the wages of ECEs and introducing a benefits and pension package for all employees of the licensed sector.
“ECEs and support staff do incredible, valuable work and we know that a strong, stable early learning and child-care system means providing programs and benefits that support staff working in the sector,” Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Becky Druhan said. “We heard from the sector that balancing affordability while implementing a health benefits and retirement plan is crucial. We heard, we listened, and now we are delivering.”
According to information from the province, ECEs – including those working as inclusion co-ordinators – assistant directors, directors, and family home consultants, working in provincially licensed and funded child-care centres and family home agencies will receive hourly wage increases ranging from about $3.14 to $4.24.
Based on education and experience, wages range from $22.91 to $28.78 per hour for ECEs Level 1, 2 and 3, and up to $34.54 for ECEs in leadership roles.
Provided statistics indicate there are about 3,000 ECEs and support staff working in provincially licensed and funded early learning and child-care centres that will benefit from this initiative.
All employees will also be included in a comprehensive group benefits and pension plan; provided by the non-profit Health Association Nova Scotia and a modern defined-benefit pension through CAAT Pension Plan, also a non-profit.
These initiatives will cost $111 million beginning in 2024, with the province funding $75.7 million and $35.3 million provided through an agreement with the federal government.
Federal Minister of Families, Children and Social Development Jenna Sudds said she looks forward to the continued efforts to recruit, retain and recognize this vital workforce.
“If we are to succeed in building an early learning and child-care system for families across the country, we need a dedicated, well-compensated and valued early childhood workforce,” Sudds said. “Today’s announcement will improve compensation and benefits for early learning and child-care workers and is an important step to recognize the educators who are essential to childhood development in the province.”
The new benefits and wages will be phased in; all employees will have access to an Employee and Family Assistance Program as of Jan. 1, 2024; the wage increase will take effect April 1, 2024; employers will start enrolling in group benefits and the pension plan in May 2024, with full enrolment by the end of 2024; and the province will fund employers to provide retroactive pension contributions to Jan. 1, 2024.