New Brunswick is increasing hourly wages for trained early childhood educators, but not everyone will qualify.
Early Childhood Development Minister Dominic Cardy announced the 75-cent wage increase at Tender Tots Childcare in Rothesay on Thursday.
Cardy said trained educators in the province will now make at least $17.25 an hour.
“The knowledge and dedication that early learning educators bring to caring for and teaching our children is essential and deserves to be recognized,” he said.
Educators who have completed a two-year college diploma or a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education or a related field will be eligible for the increase.
Cardy said more than 1,000 educators could qualify for the wage increase in 2019-20.
The kids here at Tender Tots Childcare really seem to be a fan of Minister Cardy. pic.twitter.com/CDo3bZtCq5
— Brad Perry (@BradMPerry) April 11, 2019
But Lindsey Ducey, director of Tender Tots Childcare, believes some educators will miss out on the extra money.
“The two-year ECE has never been available in New Brunswick so everyone in New Brunswick that got their degree has a one-year degree,” Ducey said.
NBCC and CCNB recently started offering a two-year online course “in anticipation of increased demand,” according to a news release from the province.
But Ducey said any help may excite more people who love early childhood education get into the field.
“These girls are implementing and fostering a love of learning and social development with these children and I think they really need to be valued and shown that what they’re doing is very important,” she said.
The province set aside $1 million in the 2019-20 budget for the increased wages.
