Indigenous and non-Indigenous early learning and child care workers in Canada
Source: Kristyn Frank is with the Centre for Indigenous Statistics and Partnerships, Social Data Insights, Integration and Innovation Brach and Rubab Arim is with the Social Analysis and Modelling Division, Analytical Studies and Modelling Branch, at Statistics Canada.
Summary: This study examines the sociodemographic and employment characteristics of early learning and child care (ELCC) workers who are First Nations people, Métis or Inuit. Data from the 2016 Census long-form questionnaire were used to study two occupational groups—early childhood educators and assistants (ECEAs) and child care providers (CCPs). Comparisons were also made with non-Indigenous ELCC workers in the same occupational groups. The study finds that First Nations, Métis and Inuit ECEAs and CCPs were more likely to be younger than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Additionally, a higher proportion of First Nations ECEAs and CCPs were men than among non-Indigenous ECEAs and CCPs. Both First Nations and Inuit ECEAs and CCPs were less likely to work full-time hours compared with non-Indigenous ECEAs and CCPs. Differences were also observed across industry sectors.