BC child care facing staffing crisis

Community Action, Feb 20, 2008

Childcare in BC is facing a critical exodus of well-trained early childhood educators leaving the field because they cannot earn a living wage, a survey conducted by First Call BC Child and Youth Advocaccy Coalition found.

The survey also highlights concerns about fewer people entering the profession, causing burnout and stress among existing staff. "The bum-out rate is high, approximately half leave the childcare field within five years of receiving their schooling," says Sheila Davidson of Early Childhood Educators of BC.

The survey of early childhood educators clearly shows that ninety percent (90%) of respondents have had difficulty recruiting and retaining ECEs.

First Call points out that, "Government wants to open new spaces for child care, but how will they be staffed when we are already facing a crisis? We are not creating new spaces; we are closing centres (especially infant/toddler centres) because of lack of qualified staff."

www.firstcallbc.org