Sarah Rennie – LJI reporter
“There is a clear lack of recognition,” says Nancy Ashton, the general manager for the Abracadabra early childhood centre (CPE), concerning the provincial government’s disregard for CPE workers.
Ashton has worked 30 years in the local CPE network, including 19 years as a manager. In an open letter published to the CPE’s social media accounts, she says the province is “asking educational daycare services to make a difference more than ever but is not giving them the tools to do so.”
She says current work conditions for certified CPE educators have resulted in workers deserting the profession in droves to work in school environments, the health sector, or for private companies. “For our CPE, this represents five educators who have left us for the school network,” she says, noting the CPE workers associated with Abracadabra are not unionized.
“This network, which is predominantly female, was built by the efforts of these same women, who are still fighting today for recognition over the quality educational services offered to Quebec children,” Ashton explained, noting that CEGEPs are seeing a decline in registrations as young women look to other careers that offer better working conditions and higher starting salaries.
“It’s embarrassing,” she concedes, noting educators have told her they would make more money working at a day camp over the summer. “We can’t compete, and I can’t increase the salary,” she adds. “The level of quality that we are managing to maintain is impressive considering all the challenges we are facing,” she says. “The educators are magnificent, but it is difficult.”
Ashton says she understands the government is managing a tight budget, but the province still managed to rapidly settle contract talks with the Association de la Construction du Québec for more than 60 per cent of the industry. “If construction stops, they are stuck. But if an educator stops, well, it won’t be obvious right away. Parents will manage, but only up to a certain point,” she explains.
She says that while the CPE workers at Abracadabra will not be joining unionized workers on the picket line in the event of a general strike, they are planning to carry out smaller actions internally to raise awareness among parents and to encourage their workers.