Executive Director, Child Care Connections

In conversations with Nova Scotia early childhood care centre administrators regarding the challenges they are facing, the issue of recruitment and retention of staff is identified as a primary source of concern. The You Bet I Care! Study 1reports the following responses from Nova Scotia directors regarding major problems related to staff: · Finding qualified substitute early childhood care teachers (57.6%) · Finding qualified permanent teaching staff (51%) · Providing financial assistance or time off for staff to participate in professional development (43.6%) · Affording qualified permanent teaching staff (41.9%) · Finding qualified staff (24.3%), and · Keeping qualified teaching staff (15.1%)2 There is a multitude of factors that have an impact on the shortage of qualified early childhood care staff. Some factors that have been identified are found within early childhood care. “Centres are facing major problems in the crucial areas of financial viability, maintaining enrollments and attracting and retaining qualified staff. At a time when there has been an explosion of knowledg