Day honours child care workers, early childhood educators
It was Child Care Worker and Early Childhood Educator Appreciation Day on Thursday, a day to recognize early child care professionals who work with young children on a daily basis.
Officials at Discovery Early Learning & Care in Sudbury said the day is about acknowledging the hard work early childhood educators do, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“They have stepped up, they’ve changed everything they’ve needed to do,” said Tracy Saarikoski, executive director.
"When we were closed, there was online learning happening, storytelling, songs, science experiments all happening with children and families to engage them at Discovery Early Learning & Care."
“It’s a lot of heart work and hard work,” she added.
For the past eight years, Nikita Lefebvre has been an educator at Discovery Early Learning & Care.
She said in spite of the pandemic and its challenges, she still looks forward to teaching young kids each day.
“Being able to teach them things like empathy and connection and to be able to move forward with those belonging and skills in their school life and in their adult life ... really does end up leaving a little bit extra special in the world,” said Lefebvre.
Educators said there are a shortage of ECE workers in Ontario as well as here in Sudbury. They said it’s led to some closures within the centres.
“We’ve had to close some programs and groups because we don’t have the staff to manage it,” said Saarikoski.
"So, on top of our regular ratios that’s legislated to us, we also have to abide by these 'cleaners and screeners.' Where do you find those extra humans to help support? We have a job posting that’s been out for probably a year and a half continuously."
Officials at Cambrian College said each year, the enrolment within the ECE program ranges anywhere from 150 to 200 students. The school offers an alternative program as a way to keep people in the field.
“It’s for people that are already working in childcare but don’t have their credentials,” said Janice Clarke with Cambrian College.
"We give them the opportunity in that program to stay working full time, but come to the college full time to get their credentials."
Licensed child care centres said they are always looking for registered early childhood educators and qualified support staff.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.