We call on the provincial government of Newfoundland and Labrador to take immediate action to provide Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) with a defined benefit pension plan so that they do not have to leave the field to secure their future.
To fund this action, we call on the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to introduce a defined benefit pension plan for ECEs similar to Nova Scotia’s. The provincial government must fund 100% of employer contributions and increase ECE wages to compensate employees for the loss in take-home pay from employee contributions.
The Childcare Crisis is a Workforce Crisis
Newfoundland and Labrador is in a childcare crisis: In 2021, CCPA reported that 79% percent of young children in NL live in a childcare desert, the second-highest percentage in the country.
Our childcare system is missing a key ingredient: workers. ECEs have post-secondary training that equips them to deliver age-appropriate, high quality educational programs for young children. Without ECEs, there are no programs. To meet government targets, we will need more than 1000 new ECEs by 2026.
The ECE sector has a recruitment and retention crisis. The professionals caring for our young children cannot afford to make ends meet. Many have no choice but to leave the sector to make a decent living.
- 83% do not have a pension
- 90% have no idea how they will ever retire
- 25% are considering leaving the sector due to working conditions
- 45% are considering leaving the field due to a lack of professional recognition
A defined benefit pension plan will help ECEs stay in the field doing the work that they feel called to do – educating young children. By investing in ECEs, we are also investing in our children, families, communities and workforce.
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