United Voice News
Childcare: A lot done, more to do
LHMU the chlldcare union welcomes reports this morning that Childcare Alliance Australia (CCA) agrees that it is time to introduce better planning about the location of new childcare centres to better meet the childcare needs of Australian families.
Sue Lines, Assistant National Secretary of LHMU says, “Meeting families’ childcare needs and controlling costs is always difficult but the current government is moving in the right direction.
“LHMU welcomes reports that CCA supports a planning model. This is just one element of childcare that needs review. We know there is still a lot of work needed to finish the job on bringing childcare into the 21st century so that it meets the needs of families, communities and the economy.
“One area LHMU vehemently disagrees with CCA is that the COAG quality reforms will cause sharp increases in rates.
“The COAG quality reforms are the turning point in improving the quality of Australia’s early childhood education and care. However, CCA represents a section of the childcare industry that has been actively campaigning against improvements to quality because of inflated claims about increased costs.
“LHMU reminds parents the quality reforms, including improved ratios, are being gradually introduced over coming years. They are not expected to have a significant impact on parents’ out of pocket expenses. In fact, some not-for-profit and private for-profit operators are already operating with the new ratios with no increase in fees.
“LHMU congratulates the Labor Government on its achievements in childcare. They have a proven track record on childcare and on tackling the big issues in this essential service, as evidenced by the decisive action when ABC Learning collapsed. Their action kept centres open and prevented a childcare disaster for tens of thousands of families and for staff.
“So far, all we have from the Opposition is a promise to review the quality reforms agreed to by all state and territory governments and experts in early childhood education and care as being essential for improving educational and development outcomes for Australian children.
“LHMU supports reforms which will ease the financial burden on families using childcare and awaits with interest the details of what CCA is calling on the major parties to provide,“ says Sue Lines.
