More money is on the way for early childhood educators in Manitoba

In what’s being called the largest wage hike in Manitoba’s history for early childhood educators, the provincial and federal governments are boosting pay for thousands of workers in the child-care sector.

“This was signed in August of 2021, and this five-year agreement is directed at building a Canada-wide early learning and childcare system,” explained Doug Eyolfson, MP for Winnipeg West.

The new wage grid sets target hourly wages based on an educator’s certification level and the size of the child-care centre, and it means frontline educators could see a raise of up to $5 per hour, retroactive to April 1.

Manitoba’s Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister highlighted the role of child-care workers in the province’s economy.

“I think we all saw it, I am a parent, and I saw up close in person during the COVID-19 pandemic, the way that our economy shuts down when childcare shuts down,” said Tracy Schmidt, the Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning.

In addition to the wage boost, a 2 per cent increase to base operating grants, totaling $4.5 million, will help child-care centres adjust to the changes. The investment is part of a broader federal-provincial agreement signed in 2021 aimed at expanding access to affordable, inclusive child care.

This wage initiative is also a key component of Manitoba’s recruitment and retention strategy, as the province looks to open more spaces and attract new educators into the field.

“It’s going to take some time to incentivise individuals to come into the sector and retain the professionals we have, but ultimately this will allow for further expansion,” said Jodie Kehl, the executive director of Manitoba Child Care Association.