Flight Course Series Expression of Interest Now Closed
Want to stay informed about future offerings? Become an AECEA member or join our non-member mailing list
A research team representing the Community-University Partnership (CUP), the Evaluation Capacity Network (ECN), and the Edmonton Council for Early Learning and Care (ECELC) has been working with the Association of Early Childhood Educators of Alberta (AECEA) on a community-engaged, qualitative research project. Together, they have been exploring how to achieve workforce stability for Alberta's early learning and child care sector (ELCC). The first stage of this project engaged Mount Royal University Bachelor of Early Education capstone students in a rapid literature review. The students discovered three overarching themes contributing to workforce stability in ELCC, which we call the three “pillars of stability”:
- fair compensation,
- supportive workplace conditions, and
- consistent education and training.
The current research team was formed during the summer and autumn of 2022 to build off the literature review findings. They narrowed in on the topic of fair compensation with the goal of proposing a values-based wage grid for ECEs in Alberta. This report outlines the research conducted for the first phase of the project. The next phase is to talk with ECEs about how our proposed wage grid will affect them and test the grid with facility owners and operators to track the path toward a smooth implementation.
This report is dedicated to the ECEs of Alberta. We hope that ECEs who read this document see their worth represented on our proposed grid.
CUP published an IMPACTS report for the recommendations. View the report here.
In July and August 2023, the team conducted eight focus groups with 35 owner-operators to understand their perspectives on the recommended wage grid for ECEs. All regions, program types, and auspices were represented. While the full report is being compiled, a preliminary report has been published. Click the button below to learn more.
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 will be 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.
Join us virtually on June 29, 2026, at 6:00 PM MDT, where we will introduce the revised and updated draft wage scale, explore the evidence and values that informed its development, and discuss how a provincial wage scale could support recruitment, retention, and professionalism within Alberta’s early learning and child care sector.