Urgent Update: Manitoba Child Care Sector Faces Staffing Crisis

UPDATE: The Manitoba child care sector is facing a pressing staffing crisis, according to new data released by the Manitoba Child Care Association (MCCA). Despite strong job satisfaction among early childhood educators, urgent improvements in staffing and training are desperately needed to address systemic gaps.

Recent findings from a Probe Research poll conducted for the MCCA reveal that while 81% of early childhood educators report job satisfaction, a staggering 40% feel increasingly exhausted by their roles. This marks an alarming increase of 11% since a similar survey in 2016.

MCCA Executive Director Jodie Kehl emphasizes the need for immediate action, stating, “We’re still seeing significant staffing shortages.” The poll indicates that over one-third of child care center directors often operate under a conditional license due to these shortages, and 22% have had to temporarily close spaces. “Families are frustrated they can’t find 10 hours of space right now,” Kehl added, highlighting the compounding impact on parents seeking care.

The online survey, which involved more than 800 MCCA members—including child care staff, center directors, and family child care providers—was conducted over two weeks in February 2025. Kehl noted that some recruitment and retention challenges could be mitigated by increasing child care facility operating grants, although the provincial government’s recent implementation of a retroactive wage grid increase has had a positive effect.

In May, Tracy Schmidt, Minister of Education and Early Childhood Learning, announced that this wage increase was the largest in the sector’s history, yet Kehl warns that “salaries alone don’t necessarily take away exhaustion.”

The poll also reveals that more than half of early childhood educators have seen a noticeable wage increase before the wage grid adjustments. However, Kehl stresses the need for better working conditions, stating that educators require time off the floor to handle documentation and curriculum planning.

Looking ahead, the province has committed to increasing professional development days for early childhood educators to five per year by 2028. Kehl expressed optimism for future collaborations, saying, “We look forward to a solution-based partnership to identify gaps and move the dial forward for the sector.”

As the demand for quality child care continues to surge, the MCCA urges immediate attention to these critical staffing issues, calling for collective action to ensure families can access the care they need.

This urgent situation underscores the necessity for systemic improvements, making it a top priority for stakeholders across Manitoba. Families, educators, and policymakers must unite to address these challenges and secure a brighter future for early childhood education.