United Voice News
A step in the right direction: Reforming childcare
Members from LHMU – The childcare union, have been working together in the BIG STEPS in childcare campaign to win a better quality sector and recognition of the valuable role staff play.
Union members have made Australian governments recognise the need for reform of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).
Ratios
Union members say staff can deliver better quality education and care if they are responsible for fewer children.
Australian governments have proposed four options for ratios:
Option one
Keep ratios the same as they are now that is, different in each state
Option two
1:4 for 0-2 years by 2015
1:5 for 2-3 years by 2015
1:11 for 3-5 years by 2016
Option three
1:4 for 0-2 years by 2011
1:5 for 2-3 years by 2014
1:11 for 3-5 years by 2015
Option four
1:4 for 0-2 years by 2010 and 1:3 by 2020
1:5 for 2-3 years by 2015
1:10 for 3-5 years by 2013
Union members will be working together to get the best national option put in place. In states that already have better ratios than are proposed, union members will have to work hard to make sure the best ratio is kept.
Qualifications
Australian governments are proposing to raise qualification levels in the sector. This has been shown to improve the quality of education and care.
Governments are proposing that all staff have a minimum Cert III and that 50% of staff have a diploma by 2013. They are also proposing to increase the number of degree qualified teachers.
Union members are discussing what support they need to get higher qualifications. The Government has not yet proposed any extra or ongoing support for staff to upskill.
Early Years Learning Framework
The framework is a national curriculum for ECEC that was piloted earlier this year. The Australian governments have endorsed this new curriculum. It may mean some changes to programming.
Union members are asking the Government to support training on the new curriculum and extra programming time to allow childcare staff to meet new and existing expectations placed on them.
Rating system for centres
The Government is proposing to introduce a centre rating system to help parents decide what centre is best for their children.
Who is going to pay?
The proposed reforms will cost money. A number of childcare centre owners don’t want reform of the sector because it will affect their bottom line.
Union members know some owners who understand that reforming the sector is the best way to improve quality education and care.
Union members will be working with these owners to get government support for the best reforms.
What’s next?
The Government is going to consult the community about the proposed changes.
Union members are filling out surveys to have their say about the proposed changes. Union members will be presenting their views at consultation forums in July and in a meeting with Minister for Early Childhood Education and Care, Kate Ellis in August.
This is your chance to influence your sector. Governments are more likely to put better proposals in place if staff work together in their union. This shows government, owners and the community that staff are serious about getting the best reforms for you.
I can help win better reforms in childcare by:
> joining with other childcare workers in my union
> filling out the survey on the reforms
> downloading this update and sharing it with other staff
> talking to other staff about the campaign
> talking to other staff about joining the union to support the campaign
> participating in my Big Steps in childcare campaign committee
