Tackling attrition in ECEs

Half of the early childhood educators in B.C. leave the field in their first five years — a statistic Thompson Rivers University professor Dr. Laura Doan is trying to change.

Doan was recently promoted to full professor in TRU’s school of education, and to mark the occasion she’ll be presented on a provincewide peer mentorship program she created.

According to a press release from TRU, the program offers peer mentoring to new and experienced ECEs in B.C.

Based out of TRU, the pilot included 200 ECEs across 17 communities, and has since grown to 320 ECEs and 42 facilities in 31 communities.

“Early childhood educators are vital to children, families, and communities,” Doan said.

“It’s simply not sustainable to have so many people leaving the workforce before their careers have really even started.”

Doan will be presenting on her program at TRU’s inaugural professional lecture.

“The program continues to be a success today and is firmly embedded in ECEBC, the professional association representing ECEs in BC,” TRU said in a press release.

The Kamloops branch of ECEBC sent a letter to the ministry last month, advocating for measures that would ensure staff are better qualified to care for children.

The lecture will be held at the Scratch Café in the Culinary Arts Centre on TRU’s campus and is open to the public. The lecture will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 19.

Those planning to attend are asked to RSVP online by Nov. 17.

TRU said the lecture series is intended to celebrate the achievements of its academics, and serves as a way for the public to meet new professors and learn about scholarships, research and teaching.