United Voice News
Childcare members meet with ministers to discuss national changes
Childcare members recently met with the state and federal ministers to make our voice heard about the proposed changes to national regulations.
Members’ push for one national childcare standard took a major step forward recently when the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) released proposed reforms for national regulations.
Three members recently met with Victorian Childcare Minister Maxine Morand to discuss the results of a survey completed by over 100 members.
"She seemed really interested in our experiences and passionate about child care," member Kristy Jones said.
The Minister agreed the evidence for better ratios was irrefutable and was sympathetic to childcare members’ current working conditions.
"You can’t watch over 15 kids by yourself. You are stuck if something happens and you have to give your attention to one child, it’s just crazy," Kristy said.
Nearly 70% of Victorian members want 1:3 ratios for under threes, and 1:10 ratios for children over three to be introduced by December 2010, the earliest date proposed under the national regulations.
Ms Morand said where better ratios exist in Victoria, they will be maintained.
"We said to her that we can’t afford to wait until 2014 for these ratio changes to be made," Kristy said.
Three-quarters of members who completed the survey said lack of pay for diploma holders and room leaders was a major barrier to further study. Education costs are another major barrier.
"We’re much more than babysitters. It is the most important time in a child’s life, and it’s our job to educate them."
Kristy said without fairer pay the government is not going to achieve their goal of having 50% of childcare workers as diploma holders by 2013.
"We deserve to be treated with respect for the important role we play, and that means being paid fairly."
LHMU Victorian Secretary Jess Walsh congratulated members for standing up for quality childcare.
"Together we are making our state and federal politicians understand that we want to provide the highest quality childcare for Australian children."
"But we need them to provide better ratios and professional wages and recognition, and we will keep raising our voices until we achieve these goals."
