With the back-to-school season well underway and familiar routines falling back into place, many parents are breathing a quiet sigh of relief. That is, unless they are one of the thousands of families who are still struggling to find adequate child care. As demand spikes for after-school care and parents seek coverage for their younger children, Canadians are being offered a fresh reminder of the fragmented state of our childcare system.
Governments at all levels have committed to alleviating this problem, albeit with mixed results. In 2021, the federal government pledged $30 billion to address child care issues. Provinces and territories have signed individual agreements to secure their share of the funding, with many contributing their own money and resources to help fill the gaps.
Unfortunately, despite these investments, parents who want a child care space still struggle to find an opening. In 2019, 36% of parents looking for care reported having difficulty finding it. In 2023, that number had jumped to 49%. Parents continue to report that spaces are too few and that the ones that do exist are still too expensive.
How can billions be spent on a program without resolving the core issue of access to care? The answers to these questions are complex, but one thing is certain – a qualified, well-trained workforce must be central to any realistic policy solution.
A shortage of qualified Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) and Early Childhood Assistants (ECAs) means that regulated child care centres are unable to meet the demand in their communities. Waitlists grow ever-longer with some parents signing up for child care the moment they get a positive pregnancy test.
For years, child care advocates have been voicing these concerns. Some have called the shortage of ECEs and ECAs, “a crisis.” Others have warned that the federal government’s aspiration to deliver 250,000 spaces in five years is overly optimistic - if not unrealistic - noting that developing such an extensive network could take twice that amount of time. Researchers at the University of Toronto have likewise indicated that Canada needs more than 20,000 new ECE graduates to meet the targets set through the federal-provincial agreements – an ambitious goal that some provinces are unlikely to achieve in the next two decades, let alone the next two years.
However, there is hope.
Regulated Career Colleges (RCCs) have long been at the forefront of training the next generation of ECEs and ECAs. With flexible enrollment and graduation dates, RCCs provide a steady stream of graduates ready to enter the workforce year-round. Some institutions boast 100% placement rates for ECE/ECA graduates, reflecting a sector that is desperate for help.
Learners come from a variety of demographics, including mature learners and new Canadians looking to find their place in the workforce. Unfailingly, these aspiring ECEs and ECAs are passionate about giving kids the best start in life and are eager to provide a firm foundation on which young children can grow and learn.
Supporting RCCs in their efforts to train ECEs and ECAs, while unlocking the potential of the Canadian economy is a no-brainer. RCC graduates receive the same ECE/ECA certification as those from public institutions and are well-equipped to deliver flexible, high-quality education across the country.
Unfortunately, misconceptions about RCC graduates needlessly hinder their ability to secure under-resourced childcare and early learning jobs despite RCC programs being consistently certified by provincial regulators.
Governments at all levels have a role in promoting RCC graduates and actively offer their voices in support of the dedicated professionals who are working every day to bridge the gap in Canadian child care. Additionally, they can help address the child care crisis by providing tangible supports to learners and graduates as they pursue a career in early learning and child care.
The benefits of doing so speak for themselves. Unlocking accessible, affordable child care gives families the flexibility they need to invest in their future. More child care workers in the field means more parents, especially women, are able to advance their careers while raising their families.
Of course, training new workers is not a cure-all for the problems facing Canadian child care. Even with the constant supply of RCC graduates, a comprehensive approach is needed to address the industry’s ongoing challenges. Workplace retention, adequate wages, flexibility for families with unique work arrangements, and greater accessibility in rural communities are just a few of the concerns that require attention.
Governments also have a duty to offer support for the many qualified ECE/ECAs who are forced to leave the profession due to low wages and address industry concerns around burnout and high stress. Graduates must have confidence that early learning and child care remains a viable career path.
Because without a workforce, child care promises aren’t going anywhere.
Michael Sangster is the CEO of the National Association of Career Colleges.