Early Childhood Educator Wage Grid

Early Childhood Educator Wage Grid
Newfoundland and Labrador’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Wage Grid is developed to support regulated child care centres in offering accessible and quality child care by recognizing the valuable contribution ECEs make with the children of the province.

The Early Childhood Education Wage Grid aims to increase retention and recruitment of ECEs and increase interest for current and future ECEs to further their education and ultimately improve quality of care.

Individuals with an active Association of Early Childhood Educators Newfoundland and Labrador (AECENL) certification who are working in an ECE role in a regulated child care centre that is participating in the Operating Grant Program will receive wages in accordance with the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid.

Policy Document:

Forms:

Highlights

  • The base rate for an ECE II with a two-year diploma is $25.00 an hour. This is the starting rate for a new graduate.
  • Educators who continue to further their education and are awarded a higher certification level will be placed at Step 1 of their new level. For example, an ECE I at Step 2 who achieves an ECE II designation would be placed at Step 1 of Level II ($25.50).
  • The steps on the grid last 12 months, starting January 1, 2023.
  • There is a 10 percent adjustment for administrator positions that is capped based on the annual salary of each step.
  • Labrador Allowance is available for ECEs working in licensed child care centres in the Labrador region.
  • Legacy wage rates will be in place for staff whose current earnings exceed the proposed wage scale.

*Data in this table is based on working 7.5 hours per day for 261 days per year.


Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to receive funding under the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid?

The Early Childhood Education Wage Grid applies to individuals who hold an active  certification with the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador and who are working in an ECE role in a regulated child care centre that is participating in the Operating Grant Program.

How will my placement on the ECE Wage Grid be determined?

Original placement on the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid is determined by the highest level of certification obtained and the years of service worked in a regulated child care setting in accordance with the following:

For example, an individual with a level II certification who has worked in regulated child care for 8 years will be placed on Step 2 ($26.01).

Educators who continue to further their education and are awarded a higher certification level would be placed on Step 1 of their new level upon confirmation of this achievement and the individual will remain on the new level for one year before advancing to the next Step.

 

How long will I stay on each step? What if I am placed on step 3?

Steps on the grid last 12 months, starting January 1, 2023. This means that on January 1, 2024 you will be eligible to move to the next step. If you are placed on step 3 you will remain on that step until the ECE Wage Grid is further updated.

How will I receive my new wage?

Wage increases will flow through employers.

What if my current wage is higher than the amount identified on the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid?  Will I receive less money?

Individuals who are eligible to receive funding in accordance with the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid will NOT receive less wages than they are currently being paid.  Legacy wages are incorporated into the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid.

What is a legacy wage? How is it determined?

A legacy wage refers to a rate of pay that currently exceeds a wage rate identified on the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid. Legacy wages are determined by taking the individual’s current rate of pay and adding the amount they would receive from the Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) Supplement Program. If the blended rate (current wage + supplement) is higher than the wage rate an individual would receive in accordance with the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid then a legacy wage will apply.

Please click HERE to access an interactive Legacy Wage Calculator which will assist in determining if a legacy wage applies and what the wage would be. Simply enter the information into the green fields applicable to the employee role, level of certification, days worked annually, hours worked per day, current wage and the information will automatically calculate.

Will I continue to receive my ELCC Supplement payments?

As previously communicated, the ELCC Supplement Program has been incorporated into the Early Childhood Education Wage Grid and will no longer continue for those who are on the wage grid.

How can I access the Francophone Bonus?

A wage grid Francophone Bonus of $5,178 is available for certified Francophone ECEs, working in regulated Francophone child care services in Newfoundland and Labrador. This bonus will be processed through the operating grant program effective April 1, 2023. This bonus is issued as part of the provincial ECE wage grid so there is no application process involved.  To be eligible for the bonus the individual needs to be a French-speaking ECE working in a regulated Francophone child care service that is participating in the operating grant program. The bonus is issued to the employer as part of their operating grant funding and the employer would then issue it to the ECE.

How will the Wage Grid Delay payment work?

Resources for Early Childhood Educators and Child Care Providers

Are you interested in considering a career as an Early Childhood Educator?

Click here to learn more about becoming an Early Childhood Educator.