Evaluation of Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

November 2022

In 2018, British Columbia launched the Early Care and Learning Recruitment and Retention Strategy (ECL R&R Strategy). It is part of a larger ten‐year (“Childcare BC”) plan, to increase the quality, affordability, and availability of child care spaces in British Columbia. Its initial $136m investment included many tactics such as the wage enhancement and supports for professional development. While they have been expanded in various ways since 2018, it remains with its original intent. It seeks to meet the following three overarching long‐term goals:

- An adequate and stable workforce comprised of qualified and skilled early care and learning professionals

- Early care and learning as a viable, sustainable, and valued career

- Appropriate compensation plans and human resource strategies.

The Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training (AEST) simultaneously engaged the Early Childhood Educators of BC (ECEBC) to lead an evaluation. The goal was to enable a mechanism for regular sector feedback on the overarching impacts of the ECL R&R Strategy. ECEBC selected Social Research and Demonstration Corporation (SRDC) to undertake the sector-led evaluation.

This evaluation report for 2021 includes project results and lessons to the end of 2021. It includes the project management work plan and a report on Sector Steering Committee activities. It updates the implementation of the evaluation methodology. These include tentative plans for the extension of the evaluation to cover 2022 and 2023.

• Read the full report here.
• Download the summary infographics below: