United Voice News
In this issue:
1. COAG announcement a big win for our children
2. Stand up for safer, healthier childcare centres
3. BIG STEPS towards a professional future
4. Members march for a safe climate
Dear member,
Today is a great day for childcare union members.
It's a day we should be proud of!
This afternoon Prime Minister Kevin Rudd announced new national childcare standards.
For us here in Victoria, the announcement will bring about the biggest changes in the sector we've ever seen.
The most important win for our state is childcare ratios for over-threes which move to one-to-eleven by the end 2015.
I was at a centre earlier today with several members. They were overjoyed at the news.
Like all members, they know that better ratios mean less "crowd control" and a better quality of care for children.
The changes also mean respect and recognition for our profession from all state and federal governments.
And it’s about time!
This year in Victoria, we’ve already won better ratios for two to three year olds.
We’ve won minimum training standards which recognise that we have high level skills in our work.
Together, we are lifting up the childcare sector for everyone.
Members have shown that when we speak up and stand up we can win.
I believe that when child care union members speak up for even more change, we will be unstoppable.
In unity,
Jess Walsh
Branch Secretary,
LHMU Victoria
COAG announcement a big win for our children
Childcare members are celebrating the announcement of new national standards that will give Victorian children a stronger start to life.
The new standards unveiled at a meeting of state and federal governments include improved ratios for the over-three age group.
Victoria’s ratio for this group is currently one carer to 15 children — the worst in Australia.
Under the new standards, this ratio will move to one carer to eleven children by 2015.
LHMU member Babette Casey said childcare workers are jubilant — the new ratios are a big step forward for quality childcare.
“This is really exciting news. Staff will be less stressed. It will give them the time to build even closer relationships with children and engage them in our early childhood programs,” she said.
Babette is the Director of John Street Community Childcare Centre in Fitzroy and she believes the new standards will transform the industry.
“It’s going to lead to better outcomes in school readiness and our long day-care programs.”
“When you have one staff member to fifteen children you’re spending a lot of time on supervision. It doesn’t leave much time for engaging them in programmed activities and play-based learning.”
LHMU State Secretary, Jess Walsh congratulated members on their strength and unity.
“Members lobbied federal and state politicians relentlessly for quality childcare. This is your victory.”
“By standing together we are winning the professional recognition and respect we deserve.”
The national standards come after a Victorian shake up earlier this year of staff ratios for the 0-3 age range, which are moving to one carer to four children.
The national standards will leave Victoria with the best ratios in the country for 2-3 year-olds.
The Victorians reforms also included a new minimum qualification of Certificate 3 for all childcare workers in Victoria.
Stand up for safer, healthier childcare centres
Serious gaps in occupational health and safety threaten the wellbeing of those caring for our children, childcare members say.
What do you think? Click here to share your concerns about health and safety.
In an industry focused on putting children’s needs first, the health and safety of staff is often a low priority.
LHMU member, Bindi Miles has worked in childcare for 12 years and she believes this has to change.
“It needs to become a high priority. Staff need to have clear guidelines on what is expected and what is needed to ensure a safe workplace for themselves and their colleagues,” said Bindi.
“If we are not looked after then how are we meant to look after the children at a high standard?”
Bindi said while there are policies and procedures in place — these are not enough.
“In my experience, there is only a basic level of awareness. To have the bare minimum is just not good enough. Staff are usually unaware of the correct procedures for day to day activities.”
“Lifting is a major concern because staff don’t do it correctly. Infectious diseases are also a big problem – they are so easily spread between children and staff because staff aren’t updated regularly enough on correct hygiene practices.”
Bindi feels the answer is health and safety representatives in every centre.
“If you’ve got someone educated in that area and focusing on that area then it’s going to lead to prevention. Because day to day we often forget to think about ourselves and what we are doing — the main focus is on the children.”
Click here to have your say on health and safety in childcare.
For more information contact the Union Rights Centre on 9235 7777
BIG STEPS towards a professional future
Members in nearly 100 Victorian community childcare centres are
bargaining together to take further ‘Big Steps’ towards
professionalising childcare.
Babette Casey is a leader in our Big Steps campaign and she wants to see change.
She is also the director of Fitzroy’s John Street Community Early Childhood Co-Operative.
"I’m very excited and hoping we can improve our conditions of employment."
Babette has worked in childcare for 19 years and says it is time childcare professionals are recognised for their important work.
"We need to see change in the perception of what childcare professionals do. Because basically it’s seen as babysitting, whereas what we do is far more than that."
In their last union agreement these members won wages of about $1000 a year above the Award. They want professional pay and recognition but they know we are going to need bigger change across the sector before we can win these.
"The big thing is the salary. I want to see wages reflect professional qualifications," said Babette.
Members are calling for better guaranteed programming time. Babette said planning hours need to increase if programming is to meet the high standards required by national and state regulations.
"A lot of centres don’t give their staff enough time. Many have to work out of hours to put together a decent program."
The union agreement is set to be another milestone for our Big Steps in Childcare campaign and will help encourage private centres to follow suit.
Members march for a safe climate
On Saturday 12 December thousands of Australians will participate in the Walk Against Warming to raise their voice about the danger to our planet from climate change.
As we march world leaders will meet in Copenhagen deciding on what action the world will take on the climate crisis.
Victorians will send a message our leaders can’t ignore: a 20,000 person human sign demanding real action: Safe Climate – Do It!
Click here to join the march for a safe climate on Saturday 12 December
LHMU members are supporting the march because a safe climate matters to us too.
Childcare member Bronwen Jefferson said she will be joining the Walk Against Warming.
“It’s such a great idea and it will be a really powerful image having this giant human sign in Melbourne, I will certainly be there.”
For Bronwen the Walk is about making sure her children can live in a safe climate.
“Children are such a huge part in this and we sometimes overlook that. They are going to inherit this mess. I will be taking my kids and I strongly encourage everyone, especially families, to get down there.”
Our campaigns have shown that when workers stand together we can make a real difference. That is why LHMU members around the country are joining the walk.
“LHMU members are used to making a difference in their workplaces so we should be looking at extending that to environmental issues by getting on board with Walk Against Warming,” said Bronwen.
The Melbourne Walk Against Warming starts at 12pm on Saturday 12 December 2009 at the State Library on Swanston Street.
Click here to join the march for a safe climate on Saturday 12 December
