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Workforce Development Toolkit

Last updated on August 25, 2025

The Workforce Development toolkit offers strategies, tools and resources for child care operators to help create a strong and sustainable team. Whether you are a not-for-profit organization or part of the public sector, these resources provide practical solutions and insights to support long-term workforce stability for your child care centre.

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Appreciation and recognition

Valuing child care as a profession means recognizing and supporting the important work that child care providers do for children, families and the community. The child care workforce plays a key role in children's early development, which is essential for their long-term learning and well-being.

High-quality child care leads to positive outcomes in children's lives. When child care staff are supported, respected and well paid, they feel more motivated and invested in their work, which directly benefits the children they care for.

Child Care Month
May is Child Care Month and Child Care Provider Appreciation Day is celebrated on the Friday before Mother's Day. It is an opportunity to honour the dedication and hard work of the child care workforce, who are vital in supporting children, families and communities.

Compensation

Child care professionals provide care, connection and supportive learning environments for children. Since the start of the ChildCareBC plan, wages have risen from a median of $18 per hour in 2018 to $29 per hour in 2025. As compensation is a strong contributor to recruitment and retention, offering competitive wages is an important part of successful workforce development.

Benefits

Employers can provide benefits packages to their employees, which may enhance job satisfaction and help reduce turnover. Employee benefits are extra compensation that workers receive on top of their regular pay. These benefits often include health, dental and vision coverage and life insurance. However, employers can also offer many other types of benefits and perks to their teams.

Chambers of Commerce Group Insurance Plan
Group benefits, including health and dental insurance, for businesses with 1-50 employees.

Health Source Plus Benefits Package
Extended benefits package offered through Health Source Plus for all Early Childhood Educators of BC provincial members.

Wage enhancements

Wage enhancements help lift wages and reduce turnover. By offering financial support, the following programs seek to improve compensation for early childhood educators and ensure a stable and skilled workforce.

Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement
Early childhood educators working in eligible licensed child care centres can receive a wage enhancement of up to $6 per hour. Participation is optional and child care providers can apply at any time. 

Columbia Basin Trust Early Childhood Educator Wage Subsidy Program
Helps strengthen the early childhood educator workforce by providing a $2 per hour wage subsidy. 

First Nations Early Childhood Educator Wage Enhancement Funding
Wage enhancement funding is available through the Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework.

Métis Early Childhood Educator Supplement
Supports licensed Métis early childhood educators and assistants who are working in licensed child care programs in B.C.

Métis Wage Subsidy for Employers
Employers who hire qualified Métis Early Childhood Educators can access financial wage subsidy support for a maximum of six months.

Professional development and supports

Professional development in the child care sector equips educators with the latest skills and knowledge to deliver high quality care, meet children's diverse needs and boosts job satisfaction, fostering a dedicated workforce. 

Become an early childhood educator

Early Childhood Educator Registry
Early childhood educators play a critical role in providing education and care for young children. To work as an early childhood educator or assistant in a licensed child care centre in B.C., you must be certified by the Early Childhood Educator Registry.

Early Childhood Educators of BC Code of Ethics
Shows the shared beliefs, values and ethics of early childhood educators in B.C. The 10 principles help guide daily professional work with children, families and colleagues. 

Bursaries, grants and loans

B.C. Employer Training Grant
A cost-sharing grant program that funds small, medium and large organizations to support skills training for their workforce, including new hires. It helps British Columbians access the skills training needed for changing job requirements and encourages employer involvement in skills training. Employers can receive 80% of eligible training costs, up to $10,000 per participant, per fiscal year. Employers are eligible to receive up to $300,000 per fiscal year (April 1 to March 31).

Community Workforce Response Grant
Provides funding for training a group of people to fill a skill shortage in a community. It includes a 10% administration allowance for the applicant to manage the grant. For example, receive $300,000 for training a class and use $30,000 to have a staff person manage the program.

Early Childhood Educator Education Support Fund 
The Early Childhood Educator Student Bursary offers $500 per course, up to eight courses, to a total of $4,000 per semester. The Early Childhood Educator Workforce Development Bursary provides up to $5,000 per semester for tuition and other expenses, such as loss of wages and travel. These provincially and federally funded programs are administered by the Early Childhood Educators of BC.

Early Childhood Educator Training Wage Program - Columbia Basin Trust
Strengthens the early childhood educator workforce by providing a training wage to early childhood educators and assistants, employed by licensed child care centres in the Columbia Basin, to support them in completing or upgrading their qualifications.

StudentAid BC
Helps with the cost of post-secondary education through student loans, grants and scholarships. There are also programs to help with loan repayment.

Young Canada Works
Offers a variety of short-term job and internship programs to job seekers and employers.

Early care and learning resource

Early Learning Framework
Meant for early childhood educators, primary school teachers, principals and vice-principals and others who work with children from infancy to 8 years old. It helps them talk and think about childhood, knowledge, education and learning.

Education pathways

Dual Credit Program
Allows students to take post-secondary courses in early childhood education while still in high school. These courses provide post-secondary credits and count as elective credits at the Grade 12 level.

Early Childhood Educator and Care Work-Integrated Learning
Offers a unique early childhood education work-integrated learning opportunity for working early childhood educator assistants to become qualified early childhood educators in B.C. These programs can be found at the following public post-secondary institutions:

Recognized post-secondary early childhood educational programs
To be certified as an early childhood educator in B.C., you need to complete an educational program recognized by the Early Childhood Educator Registry or an equivalent program.

Incentives for upskilling

Early Childhood Educator Specialized Certification Grant
Early childhood educators with an infant toddler educator or special needs educator certificate from the Early Childhood Educator Registry and who work in a licensed child care setting or Aboriginal Head Start with children aged 0-5, can apply for an additional $2,000 per year. Early childhood educators with both post-basic certificates can apply for $3,000 per year.

Inclusion

B.C. Early Years Professional Development Hub
Developed by CanAssist at the University of Victoria, this training includes the Foundations of Inclusive Child Care and the Behaviour in the Early Years courses.

Behaviour in the Early Years
CanAssist offers a digital toolkit, Excellence in Action video series and a webinar series. 

Everyday Anxiety Strategies for Early Years
Course developed by the Ministry of Children and Family Development's Child and Youth Mental Health to support mental health in the early years.

Inclusive Child Care website
The Province has invested in resources and online training modules to help child care providers build and enhance their knowledge and skills for inclusive child care.

Inclusive Child Care Toolkit
Encourages reflective practice and provides guidance on developing an inclusion policy.

Supported Child Development and Aboriginal Supported Child Development
Community-based programs that offer consulting and support services to children, families and child care centres. They help children with support needs fully participate in child care programs. A diagnosis is not required and families or child care providers can refer a child to the program/s for support. The Aboriginal Supported Child Development program provides support in a culturally responsive and meaningful way. To find an Aboriginal Supported Child Development program in your area, contact your local Ministry of Children and Family Development office, public health nurse, health care provider, child care provider or Child Care Resource and Referral Centre.

Where All Children Belong: B.C. Inclusive Child Care Strategy
All children benefit from inclusive child care settings that are welcoming and celebrate the diverse identities of children, families and staff. To build truly inclusive child care as a core service, a system-wide approach is necessary.

Indigenous resources

Jordan's Principle
A human rights principle established by the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal to make sure that First Nations children do not face gaps, delays or denials in accessing government services because of their identity as First Nations children. Jordan's Principle ensures First Nations children living in Canada can access the products, services and supports they need, when they need them. Funding is available to help with the purchase of products, services and supports including the unique needs that First Nations Two-Spirit and LGBTQQIA children and youth and those with disabilities.

Miyoopimaatishihk (Wellbeing) Program
Through the Miyoopimaatishihk (Wellbeing) Program, eligible Métis families can apply for financial support to assist with the cost of a wide range of services, programs and products, including but not limited to respite care, speech therapy, assessments, specialized equipment and mental health supports.

Learning opportunities

Early Childhood Pedagogy Network
Creates spaces for vibrant public conversations about pedagogical projects and processes for early childhood communities in B.C. These projects support thinking about and reflecting on how educators support early learning, guided by the B.C. Early learning Framework.

Peer Mentorship Program
Supports the ongoing professional development needs of new and experienced early childhood educators. It aims to expand support and reduce the number of early childhood educators leaving the field.

Workforce supports

Administration and Management for Child Care Course
The Westcoast Child Care Resource Centre offers an Administration and Management for Child Care course. There are self-guided and instructor-led delivery options. Course fee reductions are available for instructor-led training. 

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
Offers services that provide early childhood educator professionals, support service professionals and Indigenous children and families with access to culturally based early learning programs, resources, training, research and community services, including the Aboriginal Child Care Resource and Referral program.

BC Early Years Professional Development Hub
An online professional development resource for educators in the B.C. early years sector.

Behaviour in the Early Years Initiative
The Ministry of Education and Child Care Funds CanAssist at the University of Victoria to lead the Behaviour in the Early Years Initiative. Materials have been developed with input from the child care community and early childhood development experts.

Child Care Resource and Referral Centres
Service providers offer mentoring and support to child care workers, including early childhood educators, assistants and responsible adults. They help through professional development, site visits, mobile and virtual outreach and one-on-one visits.

Columbia Basin Trust's Child Care Support Program
Helps create and maintain child care spaces, trains more early childhood educators and provides advice to child care providers in the Basin.

Early Childhood Educators of British Columbia
Provides professional development, training and resources for early childhood educators in B.C. Their vision is for a society where early childhood educators thrive in a supportive community that values childhood and education.

Early Years Professional Development Portal
An online platform for families, child care providers and the child care workforce to:

  • Discover learning opportunities and professional development hosted by Child Care Resource and Referral service providers throughout B.C.
  • Join a local community of practice
  • Share or explore local employment opportunities in the child care sector

School Age Child Care Association of British Columbia
A provincewide non-profit organization open to professionals and students working or studying in school-aged child care.

Tyler J Summers Education - Nurturing Play and Beyond Course
A course designed to address the need for high quality, regularly occurring school-ages child care training in B.C. and beyond.

Recruitment 

A qualified workforce is the foundation of the ChildCareBC Plan. We know that the workforce must continue to grow to meet the needs of the child care sector and B.C. families. Early care and learning professionals are the heart of the child care sector. Their unique knowledge, skill and ability are key to creating a quality child care system.

Free or low-cost job posting websites

In addition to posting positions on your website, consider the following free or low-cost job posting websites.

International early childhood educators and assistants

Early Childhood Educator Translation Subsidy
A translation subsidy may be available to assist applicants with the costs associated with professional translation when applying to the Early Childhood Educator Registry.

Labour Market Impact Assessment
A document that an employer in Canada may need to hire a foreign worker.

Provincial Nominee Program
Offers skilled workers in select occupations a path to permanent residency. It also helps employers hire qualified staff. Due to the recent changes by the federal government, access to this program is currently limited and may be limited to those who already have an application under consideration.

Practicum students

Recognized early childhood educator training institutions and programs
Hosting practicum students can lead to hiring qualified staff. Consider partnering with a B.C. recognized institution. 

WorkBC

WorkBC
WorkBC attends post-secondary education events, local hiring fairs and business and career development conferences. They offer events to help you grow your career or business.

WorkBC Career Profile: Early Childhood Educators and Assistants
Watch videos to learn about a day in the life of an early childhood educator.

Working conditions

Good working conditions enhance employee well-being, leading to happier and healthier staff, while also increasing job satisfaction and productivity. In addition, a positive work environment attracts and retains top talent and fosters innovation and creativity.

Provincial Design Guidelines for Child Care Centres
Helps design spaces for both children and the early care and learning workforce. The guidelines suggest designing spaces that support supervision, easy transitions and minimize physical injury risks. The Design Guidelines provide information on quality and functional child care centre designs that support recruiting and retaining early childhood professionals.

Flexible schedules

There are several ways to support flexibility in the work place. For example, the four-day work week is becoming popular as a way to reduce burnout, improve employee well-being and help with hiring and keeping employees. Some key benefits of this model are less burnout and stress, fewer sick days, better work-life balance and increased positivity. 

Rotating shifts for qualified staff means work schedules that change shifts regularly. For example, an educator might work a week of morning shifts followed by a week of evening shifts. This flexibility helps educators have a better work-life balance.

Providing staff with scheduled breaks is vital for improving employee wellness and overall working conditions. Additionally, adhering to employment standards ensures fair treatment, legal compliance, and fosters a safe and equitable workplace.

Preparation time

Preparation time is essential for early childhood educators to create quality learning experiences and support children’s needs.

Providing a monthly budget helps educators plan, make materials and buy resources like books. Scheduling time for staff to prepare and reflect on their work when they’re not directly supervising children is also important. Hiring an early childhood educator dedicated to providing flexible support ensures staff can take breaks and complete prep work off the floor without affecting staff-to-child ratios.

Workplace culture

A strong workplace culture is important for creating an effective learning environment for both children and educators. A positive, supportive workplace culture improves job satisfaction, professional growth and the overall quality of care and education.

Cultural safety

Cultural safety is an outcome based on respectful engagement that recognizes and addresses power imbalances in a system. It results in an environment free of racism and discrimination, where children of all backgrounds can feel safe, respected and equally valued. 

Aboriginal Head Start Association of British Columbia
Non-profit society consisting of urban and northern Aboriginal Head Start programs in B.C. They support programs to ensure high quality early years programming. They are committed to helping First Nations, Inuit and Métis children and their families.

BC Aboriginal Child Care Society
Runs the only provincial Aboriginal Child Care Resource and Referral Centre in B.C. This program is funded by the Ministry of Education and Child Care and supports early learning and child care programs for early childhood educators, families and communities in B.C. They provide information, outreach, resource lending, networking and learning opportunities. Centre staff work with both Indigenous and non-Indigenous educators, families and communities in urban and reserve settings.

BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres
The BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres is the main organization supporting Friendship Centres throughout B.C. These centres are not-for-profit, Indigenous-led groups that provide programs and services to help Indigenous peoples living in urban areas and away from their home communities. Friendship Centres offer a wide range of services, including programs for youth, child and family wellness, employment and training, education, health, economic development, language and culture, arts, violence prevention, sports, recreation and community outreach. The association works to improve Friendship Centres in B.C., encourages communication among them, collaborates with other provincial associations and the National Association of Friendship Centres and develops programs to enhance the quality of life for Indigenous people in B.C.

Early Years Indigenous Cultural Safety Resource Guide
Created to help early childhood educators working with Indigenous children, families and communities find useful resources to improve their ability to provide culturally safe and respectful care.

First Nations Health Authority
Plans, designs, manages and funds First Nations health programs in B.C. They also support Aboriginal Head Start programs in First Nations Communities.

First Nations Leadership Council
Consists of leaders from the BC Assembly of First Nations, First Nations Summit and the Union of BC Indian Chiefs. They work together to address important issues to First Nations communities throughout the province.

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework
Federal plan to make sure all Indigenous children receive high quality, culturally safe early learning and care. In B.C., funding for this framework is managed by the BC Aboriginal Child Care Society for First Nations and by Métis Nation British Columbia for Métis-specific supports. Both organizations provide funding to support First Nations and Métis educators and child care programs.

Métis Nation British Columbia
Envisions a future where Métis people, communities and children thrive. They receive funding from the Ministry of Education and Child Care to offer a Métis-specific child care coordination program. They provide training, consultation, communication, outreach and referrals for early childhood educators, providers, families and other community members.

Mental health support

Early childhood educators can experience burnout because of a high workload and the challenges of supervising children while also providing guidance to ECE Assistants.

The pressures on educators to provide quality care, while dealing with staffing shortages can cause significant challenges, affecting both educators and the children they care for.

There are many resources available throughout the province. Please check with your local health authority or HealthLinkBC for support that meets your needs.

HealthyMindsBC
Offers evidence-based prevention and early intervention tools and resources. It is for families, educators and other professionals to help support the daily mental health of children and youth.

HelpStartsHere
Managed by the Ministry of Health, this resource recognizes that everyone's story is unique, whether you are on a personal journey or supporting someone facing mental health or substance use challenges.

MindUP for adults
In partnership with the Ministry of Education and Child Care, this program offers courses to support adult well-being in the K-12 education system.

Peer Mentorship Program
Helps the ongoing professional development of new and experienced early childhood educators. It aims to expand support for both new and experienced educators and reduce the number of early childhood educators who leave the field. 

Outdoor play and nature-based programming

Outdoor-based education offers many benefits for educators, helping both their personal and professional growth, including better mental and physical health. Spending time outside reduces stress and improves overall well-being. Land-based programming that reflects the languages and cultures of the children and families served can be crucial for providing culturally relevant child care that meets the needs of Indigenous families. Nature-based child care features an environment rich in natural elements where children spend most of their day playing outdoors playing and interacting with these features. 

The following resources can help you explore outdoor learning opportunities.

Child and Nature Alliance of Canada
Supports high-quality forest and nature school practices and programs through evidence-based, practical and inspiring professional learning opportunities, community building and advocacy.

Exploring Your Program: Connections to Land-based Learning
Webinar presented by First Nations Health Authority.

Learning Outside Together Course
Jointly run by Early Childhood Educators of BC and BC Aboriginal Child Care Society.