BY HEJIRA CONVERY, KINDICARE

JULY 26, 2023

We all believe that childcare workers should be paid well for the valuable work they do, and recent developments mean this belief is being transformed into action!  

The United Workers Union (UWU), which represents early childhood educators, has started the first ever Multi-employer Bargaining process with its joint representatives, and educators are seeking a 25% pay rise.  

This kind of substantial pay rise will need a firm commitment from the Federal government, and with the government yet to join the bargaining table, many educators around the country are taking part in a National Day of Workplace Action today to highlight the early learning sector’s current workforce crisis. 

This day of action recognises that educators need higher wages for the good of everyone in the childcare community. 

Greater remuneration will enable educators to get ahead financially and feel valued for the amazing work they do; and a solid pay rise isn’t just important for individuals.  

Sarah Gardner, Deputy Director Early Education at the UWU says, “Educators are seeking a 25% increase to wages to save the sector,” which is suffering through a workforce crisis that won’t go away without a meaningful investment in wages.  

On the ground, childcare providers are struggling to fill educator roles, meet educator to child ratios, and keep morale high in the face of long hours, lots of responsibility and modest pay compared to other sectors.  

Caren, a Centre Director in Victoria says, “We have lost over thousands of educators from the sector over the past year alone. Many centres have had to close rooms or their whole centre because they don’t have enough staff to safely open.” 

A perception of low pay is also a turn-off when people consider an early learning career; and staffing problems are being felt by many families who are on waitlists for available places or unsure about who will be caring for their little learner, going forward.  

Everyone who provides and uses childcare needs to know that these challenges aren’t going unnoticed, and that the Federal government is committed to a workable wages solution. 

However, a firm commitment from our politicians is still pending. 

Ms Gardner says, “So far the Federal government has not made a clear commitment to come to the bargaining table willing to fund any pay increase resulting from negotiations.” 

“That’s why today educators are taking action nationally, with a range of activities across the country, using the day to engage with parents and have honest conversations about how the current workforce crisis is affecting educators and children.” 

Parents have jumped behind the cause, by taking photo pledges and writing to local MPs about the sector’s workforce crisis. 

And Ms Gardner explains that, “Today educators have also launched a new Crisis Tracker to map how the crisis is affecting educators and parents. Centres are already providing eye-opening details about the workforce crisis, pressures on staff, and wait times for services for families.”

 

At KindiCare, we see the challenges being faced by the childcare sector and the real need for greater government investment in educators’ wages. 

KindiCare’s Founder and Chief Executive, Benjamin Balk says, “With workforce shortages, we are seeing that the majority of early learning providers are paying above award rates in order to attract educators and staff.”  

“The biggest issue is that there are simply not enough educators and teachers being attracted to the early learning sector, due to a perception of poor pay and conditions comparative to other industries.”  

“If a Diploma or Certificate III level educator can get paid more with less responsibility and less hours working in other sectors, such as hospitality, clerical or retail, then there is little financial incentive to enter the sector or remain working in it.”  

“The government needs to take action on direct wage subsidies or another mechanism to support early learning educators and teachers with wages that can provide a long term career, with financial rewards commensurate with the important job being done.”