United Voice News
Childcare Professionals Appreciation Week in Tasmania
Childcare Professionals Appreciation Week is being celebrated in Tasmania this week. The Week is a time for promoting a better understanding of childcare professionals’ work and for celebrating their valuable contribution to our community.
Helen Gibbons, Tasmanian Branch Secretary of LHMU, the childcare union says “Childcare professionals play a critical role in children’s development and lifelong wellbeing. In recognition of this, celebrations for the third Childcare Professionals Appreciation Week are being held across Tasmania.
“The first function will be the launch in Hobart this evening. Childcare professionals ‘appreciators’ at the launch will include Larissa Bartlett, wife of Premier David Bartlett, David O’Byrne, Minister for Industrial Relations, Rebecca Moles, Chief Executive Officer of the Tasmanian Early Years Foundation and Tasmanian childcare professionals.
“In preparation for the Week, parents and staff have been completing this sentence on little cardboard cut out feet: ‘My wish for childcare…..’. Hundreds of these have been pasted into a large and colourful map of Tasmania. Launch guests will be asked to ‘fill in a foot’, which will be added to the map.
“As part of the Week federal election candidates are taking up the ‘Walk in My Shoes’ challenge to experience first hand the outstanding education and care childcare professionals provide. We hope they become childcare champions when making future decisions about this vital sector,” says Helen Gibbons.
Similar events will be held in Launceston and Devonport during the Week.
Some quotes from the “feet” - what parents and staff wish for childcare:
- "…more money for what they do best – look after our children for us” - a parent from Lipscombe Childcare Centre
- “…quality of care is extremely important to my daughters development. A fairer system is required for both carers and children” - Leanne, a parent form Elanora Childcare Centre
- “…early childhood professionals to have the recognition they deserve and a better funding model to support it” - Rebecca a member from Malagenna CCC
- “…greater recognition of the important role childcarers play in the lives of young children and their families” - Annette, a member, from Mountain View CCC
- “…respect & recognition for the work we put in everyday to care and educate young children” - Penny, a member
