N.L.'s new early childhood educator retention grant amounts to 'pocket change,' says this ECE

Newfoundland and Labrador is introducing recruitment and retention incentives to keep early childhood educators in the province in exchange for a long-term commitment.

But while the association that represents ECEs calls it a good first step, one educator says the money isn't much more than "pocket change."

The early childhood educator recruitment and retention grant, announced Tuesday, replaces the ECE graduate bursary program and gives Level 1-4 educators who qualify up to $2,500 once they become certified through the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Educators would also receive $2,500 more when they recertify themselves with the association three years later, and another $2,500 three years after that. 

"A key part of supporting accessible, high-quality childcare systems is to ensure that there are trained early childhood educators working in the profession to meet the early learning needs throughout the province," Education Minister Krista Lynn Howell said Tuesday, adding the grants are open to both current educators and those who have left the profession.

"This is an exciting time for people considering a career in early learning and child care, and we want to encourage everybody to take the next steps and to enrol in the program.… We've made significant steps forward. We know there's still a ways to go."

The province is operating 8,300 child-care spaces at $10 a day or less across the province, but Howell said in August it isn't clear how high the demand for spaces actually is.

Skye Taylor, the association's executive director, said Tuesday's announcement is a good first step and shows a commitment to recruitment and retention from government.

"Any progress and benefits that early childhood educators can receive in the field is good news," she said.

Howell said educators looking to raise their education level will also be able to avail of the funding multiple times, which is welcome news for educators like Jennifer Quilty of Mount Pearl.

"I'm working on my Level 4, so to know that that money is there waiting for me when I finish, it makes me feel like, you know, there's more incentive for me to finish that. Because it can definitely go towards paying off my debt as being a student," she said.

However, Quilty said the money isn't very much.

"When you have this little, you know, pocket change, $2,500, It's not a lot." she said. 

Over three years, $2,500 works out to about $69 per month.The recertification process also takes time — 40 hours of training over the three-year period, Quilty said, which is often unpaid.