AECEA Connect - A Revised and Updated Provincial Wage Scale for Early Childhood Educators in Alberta

The Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA) has revised and updated the provincial wage scale for early childhood educators (ECEs) that it first released in 2023. The updated wage scale was developed with the support of The Muttart Foundation and a leading child care economist. The majority of provinces and territories now either have wage scales in place or have committed to developing them. The new wage scale is a starting point for ensuring that early childhood educators in Alberta are compensated more fairly and competitively for their specialized work with young children. The draft wage scale has been shared with educators across the province for feedback and discussion. ECEs will have the opportunity to provide their perspectives and help shape recommendations that reflect their values, experiences, and aspirations for the profession. Implementing a provincial wage scale will take time and require a new funding approach. However, ensuring that educators are fairly and competitively compensated is an important step toward building the high-quality early learning and child care system that Alberta’s children and families deserve.