When I listened to Aurélie, an educator in a daycare center in eastern Montreal, my perspective changed. Like many people, I naively thought that educators “watch” the children while the parents work.
In reality, they carry much more on their shoulders than we imagine. Without them, our society would falter. Yet, they remain invisible, exhausted, underpaid.
A day in the life of educator Aurélie
- 7 a.m.: The children arrive one by one. Some run happily towards her, others cry, clinging to their parents. Aurélie consoles, welcomes, reassures.
- 8:30 a.m.: It’s activity time. But before starting, you have to change diapers, clean runny noses and calm the tantrums of those who don’t want to let go of their blanket. Aurélie has planned a craft, but we also have to manage Nour, who has difficulty keeping up because she doesn’t yet speak French, and Amélia, who breaks down in tears because of a conflict at home.
- 10 a.m.: We go outside to play. The snow is here, so it’s dressing. Hat, mittens, boots… x 8. Once outside, Aurélie monitors the games while managing Léon, who prefers to eat snow, and Arjun, who runs too fast and falls. She is a nurse, mediator, facilitator – all at the same time.
- 11am: Back inside. You have to undress the children, then prepare them for dinner. While they eat, Aurélie notes in her notebook some observations on each person’s development. Léon still doesn’t say a word; you will have to talk to your parents about it.
- 12:30 p.m.: It’s nap time. For some, things are going well. For others, it takes time, cuddles, lullabies. Aurélie watches over the sleeping little ones while trying to write the obligatory educational portraits. She has 1.5 hours for each, but in reality, she would need double the time.
- 3 p.m.: Wake up, snack, activities, then prepare for departure.
- 6 p.m.: Aurélie smiles at the parents who come to pick up their children, explains the day, gives advice, and sometimes consoles a worried parent. When the last family leaves, they stay to clean, prepare the room for the next day, and update their educational plan. His day ends. Aurélie is exhausted, but she still has to prepare meals and take care of her own children.
Work at Costco?
No surprise to see that students are deserting early childhood educator training. Aurélie’s daily life highlights the colossal challenges of CPE educators, far from simple “babysitting”. Aurélie and her colleagues shape children’s futures by supporting their emotional, social and cognitive development.
For too long, they have been demanding changes: recognition and promotion of their profession, fair salaries, specialized resources (speech therapists, specialized educators), educational releases, a reduction in ratios for personalized follow-up and massive investments in CPE.
What if it was you? Would you stay in a grueling, underpaid and ignored job, or would you choose a less demanding and better paying job, like at Costco?
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