“This is good news and we should all take a moment to celebrate the government’s public commitment to the universal child care system that early childhood educators and child care activists have lobbied government for more than 20 years,” said CUPE Nova Scotia President Nan McFadgen. “Today, the province announced the first reduction to parent fees, additional child care spaces, and a commitment to complete a framework that will result in increased wage and benefits.”

“We’re at the beginning and we look forward to working with the province, in the near future, as they develop a wage grid, so that our early childhood educators receive appropriate compensation and they don’t have to retire in poverty,” said McFadgen.

“Now we want to see the government put the same amount of effort to improve working conditions and compensation for early childhood educators,” said Naomi Stewart, CUPE’s child care sector coordinator. “Early childhood educators need the government to work as hard for them as they have for parents.”

“The premier and the minister should plan to put in more late nights,” added Stewart. “Our members are overworked and tired, and don’t receive enough compensation for the important work they do. Recruitment is not going to work if there are not adequate improvements to their wages, benefits, and working conditions.”