Dorothy Kaytor, West Kootenay Early Years Coordinator; Nelson Daily

Did you know that the child care providers being recognized this month — as part of Child Care Month — are Early Childhood Educators whose average salary is $13.50 per hour?

This does not reflect their education or the responsibility of caring for children and supporting families. The result is a shortage of these skilled professionals and fewer child care spaces available to families.

According to the proclamation, everyone from childcare providers, parents and government to business, and Aboriginal communities all share a commitment to ensuring that quality child care spaces are available for families.

The proclamation also states that the BC Government is committed to providing safe, affordable, culturally relevant and high quality child care options for families.

Clearly there is much work to be done by the provincial government to ensure that the reality for children, families and child care providers both in licensed programs and family child care homes reflects the government’s proclamations.

If Premier Christy Clark is putting “Families First”, let this be the year the provincial budget reflects the needs of families and child care providers. ….

For more information about the Early Years Office please visit http://www.wkearlyyears.ca