On August 7, 2024, the Government of New Brunswick unveiled a comprehensive action plan to enhance the early learning and childcare sector. This plan, spanning from 2023 to 2026, outlines key priorities and objectives in alignment with three significant federal agreements: the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, the Canada-New Brunswick Early Learning and Child Care Bilateral Agreement, and the Canada-New Brunswick Early Learning and Child Care Infrastructure Funding Agreement.
Education and Early Childhood Development Minister Bill Hogan emphasized the progress made so far, highlighting the addition of 3,400 new childcare spaces, updates to wage grids for early childhood educators, and a significant reduction in turnover rates within the sector.
Action Plan 2023-2026: A Roadmap for the Future
The action plan aims to strengthen New Brunswick’s early learning and childcare sector through targeted investments and strategic initiatives. Key achievements since the signing of the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement in December 2021 include:
Reduction in Family Costs: Daily out-of-pocket fees for families have been reduced by 50%, bringing the average cost down to $12.82 per day.
Expansion of Childcare Spaces: The provincial government has fulfilled its commitment by creating 3,400 new early learning and childcare spaces.
Increased Wages for Educators: The wage grid for early childhood educators has been updated, resulting in more competitive wages to attract and retain talent.
Lower Turnover Rates: The turnover rate among early childhood educators has decreased significantly, from 50.1% to 23%.
Collaboration for Affordable and Inclusive Childcare
Minister Hogan acknowledged the importance of collaboration between all levels of government in achieving these milestones. The federal government, represented by Families, Children, and Social Development Minister Jenna Sudds, echoed this sentiment. Minister Sudds highlighted the progress towards achieving $10-a-day childcare, noting that while significant strides have been made, there is still work to be done.
The five-year agreement, which sees the federal government contributing nearly $492 million and the provincial government $53 million, focuses on several core goals:
Increasing Access: Expanding access to high-quality, affordable, inclusive, and flexible early learning and childcare options.
Reducing Costs: Lowering out-of-pocket expenses for families to an average of $10 per day for regulated and designated spaces.
Enhancing Learning Environments: Providing a supportive and inclusive environment to foster healthy development and growth in children.
Supporting the Workforce: Valuing the early learning and childcare workforce by attracting more people to the profession and offering training and development opportunities.
Data-Driven Progress: Continuing to collect and publicly share data to measure progress, report to Canadians, and improve the system.
Looking Ahead: Commitment to Continued Improvement
New Brunswick’s action plan represents a significant step forward in supporting families and young children across the province. As the plan progresses, the government remains committed to making high-quality childcare more accessible and affordable for all, ensuring that the province’s youngest learners have the best possible start in life.
Leave a Reply