Ontario child care workers to get wage increase

For the second year in a row, Ontario's early childhood educators will be getting a $1 perhour raise, Education Minister Liz Sandals announced Friday in Guelph.

Child care workers in licensed centres will be eligible for the wage increase, which will be added to the $1 per hour wage increase announced last year, for a total of $2 per hour effective immediately. Daycares must apply for the funding.

Sandals also announced the province will be providing a $10 per day increase to home child care providers who qualify, which doubles the amount already announced in 2015 to $20.

Wage increases necessary

Sandals, the MPP for Guelph, said the raise is necessary to help recruit and retain the best child care professionals.

"Ontario's early childhood educators and child care workers are passionate, hard-working and dedicated. We know they're helping children get the best possible start in life, and giving parents valuable piece of mind," Sandals said in a release. "That's why we want to retain these valued caregivers and support stable, high quality licensed child care programs for our children."

The province is investing $269 million over three years to support wage increases.