United Voice News
Budget and childcare: the real story behind the headlines
The increased childcare tax rebate will grab the headlines but the substance in the Budget on childcare relates to the funding of an integrated care and education program worth nearly $1 billion dollars, the LHMU the childcare union said tonight.
Louse Tarrant, LHMU National Secretary says:
“The 2008 Budget announcement of almost $1 billion in early childhood education and care represents an unprecedented commitment to young children.
“Integrating care and education is what parents want for their children. This was confirmed by the LHMU national survey on child care released last week.
“However, to deliver the proposed care and education program for four year olds, State and Federal Governments must make an explicit commitment to invest in the existing childcare workforce.
“The training places provided in the Budget go part of the way to addressing the skills crisis. However, children will miss out on the benefits of this initiative without a strategy to provide the workers needed to deliver it.
“The widely-recognised skills crisis in the early childhood sector and in primary schools means this promise can’t be delivered unless State and Federal Governments urgently invest in a whole of workforce strategy.
“This strategy needs to include formal recognition of the skills of childcare workers (Recognition of Prior Learning) and assistance to upgrade their qualifications (supported articulation through VET and university courses).
“The Federal Government will need at least 1,000 more degree qualified early childhood workers than have been promised in the Budget to deliver. Because of the skills crisis in the sector government needs to invest in the existing workforce.
“We look forward to working with the Government on their plans to implement this exciting and far-reaching package of reforms.”
The 2008 Budget’s childcare initiatives include:
- $115 million investment in education for the childcare workforce
$533.5 million over the next five years for 15 hours per week of early learning for all four year olds
$114.5 million for 38 new child care centres a first step to meeting the Government’s commitment to 260 new centres
