Provincial Government Reaffirms Support for Early Childhood Educators

The governments of Canada and Manitoba announced on April 27, 2026, an increase in wages and operating funding for child-care facilities to support early childhood educators (ECEs). The announcement coincided with National Early Childhood Educators Week.

Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister Tracy Schmidt and federal Secretary of State for Children and Youth Anna Gainey stated that the wage increases are intended to support the growth of the child-care system and provide higher-quality care for children up to age 12.

Wage Adjustments and Retroactive Pay

Under the new measures, wages for Early Childhood Educator II (ECE II) have increased by more than $7 an hour over the last two years. Depending on the size of the child-care facility and the certification level of the employee, these wage increases could be retroactive to April 2024.

The new wage grid became effective on April 1, 2026. The adjustments apply to several roles within the sector, including ECEs, child-care assistants (CCAs), and home-based providers who operate within licensed and funded child-care facilities and homes.

In addition to direct wage increases, the provincial and federal governments provided a base operating increase to facilities. These funds are designated to support day-to-day operations alongside the increased staff compensation.

Workforce Expansion Goals

The funding and wage adjustments are part of a broader effort to increase staffing levels within the province’s early learning sector. Minister Tracy Schmidt stated that the province is staffing up with nearly 1,200 more ECEs working in the sector.

The Manitoba government is delivering more high-quality child care for families across the province for children up to age 12. To support new spaces, we’re staffing up, with nearly 1,200 more ECEs working in the sector, supported by higher wages and good jobs so we can keep growing our child-care system.

Tracy Schmidt, Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning Minister

The government identified the wage grid as a central component of the Higher Wages, Good Jobs, More Child Care – Manitoba’s Early Learning and Child Care Workforce Strategy.

According to the minister, this current wage grid increase builds upon previous rounds of wage enhancements. These efforts were designed to address long-standing gaps in compensation within the early learning and child-care sector.