United Voice

In the lead up to the 20 March State election members are campaigning hard to win candidates' support for the Big Steps in childcare reforms.

Helen Gibbons, LHMU Tasmanian Branch Acting Secretary says "Members want to make sure Tasmania's politicians not only support quality care, but are connected in a real way with the people who work in the sector.

"All too often those who wield power have little understanding of the sectors they influence. They really don't understand what it is like to work in a long day care service but their decisions affect the day to day experiences of staff, children and their families."

The "Walk in My Shoes" challenge is a chance for politicians to really experience the life of a childcare professional. Premier David Bartlett and several ministers are among the 10 candidates who accepted the challenge.

In the challenge visitors are asked to take an active part in the centre's day by setting up activities, feeding children, cleaning up, interacting with staff, families and children, monitoring children's participation...fun stuff, messy stuff, challenging stuff.

Union member Anna Gill says "Everybody learns by doing, not by watching or hearing. It's very important and very exciting that decision makers understand child care in a real way".

"By working with the children and taking part in their busy days we hope to teach our leaders about the needs of the sector. We want a group of childcare champions in parliament whose experiences this week resonate with them when they make decisions about childcare in the future," says Helen Gibbons.

LHMU members want politicians to deliver for childcare professionals by:

• Providing funding and support for childcare professionals to access T.A.F.E and University places so childcare professionals can benefit from the COAG reforms and get access to real career advancement.
• Funding professional wages. The message to politicians is clear, if you want professional childcare, fund professional wages
  
  

At the Lipscombe Childcare Centre in Sandy Bay Premier Bartlett got a taste of the stress of simultaneously managing a room full of young children and delivering high quality care and education. He read "The Very Hungry Caterpillar" to the children, was on sunscreen duty, got down and dirty with fingerpaint and distributed morning tea.

The Premier's verdict? "It is a tough job, no doubt about it."

Workplace Relations Minister Lisa Singh participated at Discovery Sacred Heart and was inspired by the commitment and dedication of the staff. "It opened my eyes to the work of child care professionals and all that they do. It was an incredibly fulfilling and worthwhile morning".

Some parliamentary child care champions are born!

Photos

Premier David Bartlett (left) and WorkPlace Relations Minister Lisa Singh (right) on the job as childcare workers.