https://www.10aday.ca/get_to_work
One of the biggest trends in the past few years in Early Childhood Education is the implementation of the $10-a-day childcare program. This initiative was designed to support working parents with an affordable option for support in attending childcare. There has been a big push for childcare centres to enroll in this program, to support families.
Whilst I have been in classes and seminars with other colleagues, who have shared the benefits for families. There are bigger implications for employees working at centres enrolled in the program. A recent article shared within the media discusses these issues.
Many childcare centres are struggling to make the change affordable. As there are many rising costs. Staff wages need to be competitive to employ quality childcare educators. However, when a centre is restricted to a smaller budget, or reliant on government funding, unfortunately this has a knock on effect. I have experienced first hand the difficulties of hiring due to wages, and watched many colleagues choose to pursue other less demanding careers, with better pay.
How will this impact the next cohort of educators? The increasing fear of income as an educator, how will we afford to live? Do we need to take a second job?
This scheme written on paper seems great for families, and the supports they need, however; How will we increase the amount of educators? And how will we be able to sustain the wages for them to have a liveable wage? This scheme is saving money for parents, but not enough is going into centres to cover the cost of running a childcare centre.
Spaces are scarce as it is, with a demand for quality educators currently. How can we have more daycares that are $10-a-day, while there is a huge demand for staff?
From a personal perspective, thinking how this will relate to adult education, yes this scheme allows parents/families to continue their studies, without fear of over-priced childcare. However, until these adults then move into their careers, they will not understand the implications from an early childhood educators point. This is something that I must be aware of, as I do not want to put my biases on those in class, but be open to share all information from both sides, to help others make informed decisions.
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