Nova Scotia raises wages for Early Childhood Educators
A new insurance and retirement program for ECE professionals.
The Nova Scotia government has announced a pay raise for early childhood education staff. They will also be able to receive health insurance benefits and a new retirement package for the first time.
The hourly wage for all child care providers working in provincially licensed and funded child care centers will increase by approximately CA$ 3.14 — CA$ 4.24, depending on education and experience. It will end up being between CA$ 22.91 and CA$ 28.78 per hour for employees in categories 1, 2 and 3 and up to CA$ 34.54 for employees in supervisory positions.
This increase will affect an estimated 3,000 area workers in the province.
Benefits and pensions
Effective Jan. 1, all caregivers will also have access to the Employee and Family Assistance Program. Health insurance will be provided by the non-profit Health Association Nova Scotia and a modern defined benefit pension will be provided by the non-profit CAAT Pension Plan.
This initiative will cost the authorities CA$ 111 million, just over 75 million of which will be paid for by the province, with the federal government contributing the remainder. The full transition to the new pension plan and the implementation of all benefits will be completed by the end of 2024.
The Nova Scotia government will also fund a one-time pension contribution for employees equal to 5% of their earnings until January 1, 2024.
Demand for early childhood education workers is high in the province, and the government hopes higher wages and expanded benefits will help attract more professionals to the sector and fill many vacancies.
