Effective December 1, 2023, Early Childhood Educators (ECEs) employed by non-public sector employers will receive another hourly raise in support of the essential work they do to educate and care for young children. More than 12,000 eligible ECEs working at participating licensed child care facilities will receive the additional $2 per hour raise, based on hours reported starting December 2023. ECEs employed by public sector employers, as defined in the Public Sector Employers Act, are not eligible for the $2 per hour increase, but will retain access to the $4 per hour wage top-up if eligible. ECEs working on school grounds for not-for-profit or private employers will be eligible to receive the $2 per hour increase to the wage enhancement. This government-funded raise is the most recent in a series of increases to the ECE Wage Enhancement, bringing the total wage enhancement to $6 per hour and increasing the median wage for ECEs up to about $28 per hour.

Starting in January 2024, ECEs who hold one or more of their post-basic certifications (Infant Toddler Educator of Special Needs Educator) can also apply to access specialized certification grants through the Early Childhood Educators of B.C. To be eligible, ECEs must provide child care to children aged 0-5 in a licensed child care centre or Aboriginal Head Start. ECEs who hold one post-basic certificate will be eligible for a $2,000 annual grant and ECEs holding both post-basic certificates will be eligible for a $3,000 annual grant. This grant is available to ECEs employed by both public sector and non-public sector employers. Additional information on the investments for ECEs is in the news release.