Media Release Coalition urged to put children first The Coalition released its policy on child care and early learning late yesterday. The contents are deeply disappointing for early childhood educators committed to National Quality Reforms and professional recognition. The policy has a number of concerns to Early Childhood Australia (ECA), including: The lack of commitment to educational outcomes for children or recognise the benefits of quality early learning beyond ‘safety’ and ‘nurture’. Promises in cost reductions on the basis of reducing quality and ruling out any new investment in early learning beyond funding for occasional care. Conceptualisation of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) as an employment participation program—using out-dated language including ‘childcare’ and ‘carers’ rather than ‘early childhood education’ and ‘educators’. Engaging with states and territories in winding back and delaying the implementation of the National Quality Framework including a review of staff to child ratios to assess whether their implementation can be slowed and pausing the requirement that all staff should be qualified pending a full review of early childhood qualifications. The only funding commitments in the policy are to reinstate $12.6 million of the funding for Occasional Care Child Care—dependent on state and territory governments meeting 45 per cent of the cost and $2 million for a Productivity Commission Inquiry. The Coalition also says it will halt funding for wage increases through the Early Years Quality Fund (though existing contracts will be honoured). Comments from sector experts overnight include: Everyone has worked so hard and this will be a significant step backwards. This policy indicates a very superficial understanding of the complexity of ECEC. Children deserve better—this policy is not about the needs and interests of children at all. The strong work by so many to improve outcomes for children is under serious threat. ECA has urged the Coalition to review the research on the importance of quality early childhood education particularly in relation to staff to child ratios and educator qualifications. Throughout our 75 year history, ECA has worked with 25 different Federal Governments led by 17 different Prime Ministers. Regardless of the outcome from tomorrow’s Federal Election, ECA will be working to protect the reforms that have been hard won by those dedicated to the future wellbeing of Australian children. Post election ECA will also be actively promoting a way forward that adequately finances early childhood services to deliver quality programs that families can afford. We will keep members posted on the progression of this. Have your say and join the conversation on social media!
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 03:50:22 +0000
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