United Voice News
Peter Garrett gets a lesson in the skills of childcare professionals
Members showcase their variety of skills to the Federal Education Minister
Federal Education minister Peter Garrett has a better understanding of the skills of childcare professionals thanks to the work of LHMU childcare members. Five childcare leaders recently met the minister and presented him with a skills quilt, which highlights the skills you bring to your job every day, from dietician to strategic planner, and how they are not recognised with professional wages.
LHMU childcare members from Queensland, Tasmania, NSW and the ACT all helped to create the quilt. Lorraine Diprinzio from the ACT was one of the hundreds of members who worked on the quilt.
“The quilt was a great way to show what we bring to childcare. We have a whole set of skills that people don’t realise. We have to know how to have fun and educate at the same time. We’re responsible for children’s development and safety so it’s vital the minister sees this,” she said.
This was the first time the new minister met with childcare professionals and as Katie McCarthy, one of the members who met him, felt he learned a lot from the experience.
‘He was very keen to educate the community on what we do. For example, I think he really got an understanding that early childhood begins at birth’.
The minister now understands that it’s not just babysitting and it’s great to have another powerful advocate to act as a childcare champion.’
You too can lend your voice to the campaign and help government understand that you need recognition and professional wages. By joining your union, you can help make the Big Steps campaign stronger. To join, click here.
Check back later this week to see the members who met Peter Garrett discuss the meeting.
Pictures:
1: (L-R): Childcare members Brownyn Roberts, Rebecca Pearson, Katie McCarthy, Tanya Robinson and Saira Mizra with Education Minister Peter Garrett
2: Katie McCarthy showcasing the ACT skills quilt to Minister Garrett
3: Some of the quilt squares created by NSW, QLD and Tasmanian childcare members
