Enhancing Recruitment and Retention: Key Findings from the 2024 PEI Early Learning and Child Care Report

March 11, 2025

In February 2025, the Early Childhood Development Association (ECDA) of Prince Edward Island with support from the PEI Department of Education and Early Years, released the 2024 Final Report on Early Learning and Child Care Recruitment and Retention. Prepared by Kathleen Flanagan and Associates, the report offers valuable insights into how PEI has made significant progress in recruiting and retaining child care staff including centre directors and early childhood educators. 

The report states that the gains over the last five years are largely due to investments in affordability, access, and workforce support under the Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) agreement.

Since 2016, qualified ECEs have seen an 80% wage increase, and in 2023, a government-funded defined benefit pension plan was introduced. Additional funding has supported pedagogical staff, centre cooks, and retention grants, while programs like Steps to Success and the Accelerated Certificate and Diploma initiatives have expanded ECE certification access.

Early Learning and Child Care Recruitment and Retention: PEI’S 2024 Director and Staff Surveys, pg. 10

Key Findings from Director Surveys

In a survey, eighty-eight percent of directors reported positive changes since 2019, citing consistent wage increases, enhanced benefits, access to a pension plan, the addition of pedagogical support staff, and expanded opportunities for post-secondary education. Job satisfaction levels have increased, and the time required to fill positions has decreased.

Directors also noted a significant shift in the reasons for staff departures—only 2% of educators who left in 2024 did so for better wages, compared to 50% in 2019. Instead, 30% of staff departures were due to personal or family reasons.

Additionally, professional learning and development continue to be a strong focus, with 97% of educators participating in training over the past year, and 95% reporting a positive impact on their professional practice.

Key Findings from ECE Staff Surveys

The 2024 ECE staff surveys highlight positive trends in workforce stability, job satisfaction, and professional development. Staff largely agreed that conditions have improved, citing the provincial wage grid, pension plan, and benefits—such as the ECDA Health, Disability, and Life Insurance Plans—as the most impactful changes. Job satisfaction reached 84%, with more staff reporting being very satisfied compared to 2019. Satisfaction with wages and benefits also saw a significant increase.

Professional development remains a priority, with 89% of staff participating in learning opportunities over the past year. Of those, 92% reported that their training had a direct impact on their practice, leading to changes in their work. Interest in further education remains strong, with 60% of staff expressing a desire to pursue additional studies, noting that tuition funding, work-study arrangements, job-protected leave, and online options would support their learning goals.

Turnover intentions have declined, with only 11% of respondents actively seeking new employment, compared to 18% in 2019. Among those with an ECE diploma, the percentage was even lower, with only 7% indicating they were looking for a new job.

Ongoing Challenges and the Path Forward

Despite these improvements, ongoing challenges remain, particularly in recruiting qualified staff in rural areas and securing substitutes for temporary absences. The difficulty in recruiting and retaining qualified ECEs in rural areas is a Canada-wide issue, with similar challenges reported across the country. Research highlights factors such as long commutes, smaller centres with lower wages, and limited access to postsecondary education as key barriers.

This report demonstrates the significant strides made in improving workforce conditions, wages, and professional development opportunities for child care staff on PEI. Continued investment and strategic initiatives will be essential in sustaining these improvements and ensuring a strong, stable ELCC workforce to support PEI’s growing child care system.