CUPE represents early childhood educators, assistants, cooks, and cleaners in the sector in both stand-alone and multi-sector locals. Employers can be not-for-profit volunteer-run boards, charitable, parent-run boards, or for-profit organizations.
In total, CUPE estimates that we represent 12,000 members who work in this sector or work delivering ECE programs.
In British Columbia, CUPE represents 350 members who deliver the Strong Start early learning drop-in program helping prepare children for kindergarten.
B.C. is among seven provinces offering kindergarten for a full school day.
Eight jurisdictions have responsibility for child care in their ministries of education: Newfoundland and Labrador, PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Ontario, Saskatchewan, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
The NDP government in B.C. has taken welcome steps towards building a universal child care system. Wage enhancements, education and funding for training were all announced as part of an ECE recruitment and retention strategy.
For more information about joining CUPE please email us at: organizebc@cupe.ca