But for those parents currently using the center, a rate increase may not seem fair or just. Not an easy pill to swallow. That cost is low, however, compared to the paucity of wages child care providers earn. It is these low wages plus a lack of benefits that, unbeknownst to parents, actually helps to subsidize their child care fees. According to the 1989 National Child Care Staffing Study , conducted by the Child Care Employee Project and Caring For A Living, The National Study on Wages and Working Conditions in Canadian Child Care , child care ranks among the 10 lowest paid jobs.
Average salaries are only one-half the national median.
The turnover rate for daycare workers ranks as one of the highest. Children need continuity in order to form trusting and loving bonds with their teachers and caregivers. But constant turnover makes that almost impossible. Indeed, it is common knowledge within the child care profession that high staff turnover has been associated with poor developmental outcomes for children. In essence, keeping labor costs low is the only way providers feel they can keep fees down.