United Voice News
Childcare professionals take BIG STEPS to the government
Childcare professionals all across NSW attended last week's Childcare Forums to put forward what they thought needed to change in the sector to improve it for both staff and children.
Childcare professional Sharon Radford says it was important for that childcare professionals' voices were heard in the reform process. "The forums were a great opportunity for the government to get feedback straight from childcare professionals about the changes needed to improve the sector," she says.
State and Federal governments are both working on a set of national child care standards. And the forums have been a way of getting stakeholder input.
NSW Minister for Community Services Linda Burney attended the forum in Sydney on 29 July to hear the views of childcare workers.
Childcare professionals told the forum about the need to improve ratios and recognise prior learning with a proposal for Certificate III. They also said there was a need to provide existing staff with opportunities to upskill and ensure wages and conditions were part of the governments' reforms. These, and other changes, are all part of the LHMU BIG STEPS campaign and are important to attract and retain quality childcare professionals to the sector, childcare professionals say.
Earlier in July, Sharon had met with Minister Burney who had been keen to continue working with childcare professionals to build a better quality child care system. "We had a good meeting with Minister Burney again and it was fantastic to get the chance to reinforce the need for better childcare ratios and development for childcare professionals," Sharon says.
Are you a childcare professional? Come be a part of the BIG STEPS in childcare campaign. For more information, check out our website or contact the Member Service Centre on 1800 805 027.
