Inclusion support workers at early learning and child-care facilities will receive an increase in hourly wages, matching their compensation with early childhood educators. This is in recognition of inclusive learning practices and to support equal opportunities for every child.

Trained inclusion support workers, who have completed the one-year Early Childhood Education certificate or equivalent, will have their salaries increased to $23.47 per hour. Untrained inclusion support workers will have their hourly wage increased to $16.90. This includes funding provided to operators to address increases in the minimum wage. The increase will come into effect August 1.

To help support the overall workforce strategy for the early learning and child-care sector, the department has contracted the Restigouche Community Business Development Corporation to hold job fairs in the coming weeks along with sector associations and operators to help facilities recruit qualified early learning staff and attract other professionals to the sector.

In partnership with Working NB, the provincial government will engage with the sector to develop a robust recruitment and retention strategy and a three-year action plan to specifically meet the recruitment and retention needs of this sector. This will support ongoing engagement sessions which aim at ensuring early learning and child-care sector initiatives are meaningful and impactful in the long term.

The department will also be covering a one-year membership for all early learning and child-care operators to Econocoop to support their day-to-day operations. The cooperative enterprise allows providers access to significant discounts, free personalized coaching, and a revenue and expenses calculator