The owner of a private childcare centre in Yarmouth says the province must move faster to address issues with pay.
Jodi MacKinnon-LeBlanc of Lil’ Gems says the current formula is putting some private centres out of business.
She says the much-touted Pre-Primary Program entices Early Childhood Educators away from the private sector.
MacKinnon-LeBlanc says it’s sending the message that ECE’s are only worth $17 in regulated centres.
“But now you are with a school, oh, you’re worth more now. We’re going to up you to $19-$20 an hour because you’re more valuable because you’re with a school. That’s a slap in the face.”
She met with Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Zach Churchill at his constituency office.
Churchill says says before the province brought in the Pre-Primary Program, only one in four families were able to access early learning and daycare options.
“We’re growing the regulated childcare sector in this province buy over one thousand spaces.”
He says the pay variances are market driven which creates competitive wages which is a good thing.
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