Early Childhood Educator Incentives
Cheap as chips childcare...and the other amazing benefits of a career in early learning.
BY BONNIE LAXTON-BLINKHORN, KINDICARE
Hefty childcare discounts, free breakfasts and diamond earrings are just some of the incentives early education providers are offering staff to entice them back to the workplace.
As you’ve probably heard many early education providers are struggling to find staff right now, and data from ACECQA shows that 14.3% of centres across the country are operating with a staffing waiver as they grapple with shortages caused by COVID 19 and the bad ‘flu season.
KindiCare Founder and CEO Benjamin Balk says these shortages mean early education providers are going above and beyond to attract and retain staff.
“Many providers are paying well above the recent 4.6% increase to award rates as well as offering non-salary benefits such as professional learning and development, childcare fee discounts and flexible working in order to attract staff and retain their existing workforce,” said Ben.
“It’s been a difficult two years for the early learning sector and it’s not getting easier. As essential workers critical to keeping the economy afloat during the pandemic they were on the front line, taking on extra duties while dealing with their own family issues.
“The current workforce shortages have made the job even harder as they try to maintain a quality learning environment without the same level of staffing.”
The Busy Bees Bonus
Since January this year early learning providers have been able to offer discounts on childcare gap fees to employees with children enrolled at one of their services. This can add up to significant savings.
For example, KindiCare figures show that for a parent working in early education and care with a household income of $160,000 per annum, and one child in care paying $131.50 a day, Busy Bees’ generous 95% staff discount could put an extra $287 a week – almost $15,000 a year – back in the bank. For some, this could mean paying under $5 a day per child in care, and in some cases, as low as $1 a day!
Busy Bees, which operates 150 services around the country, says the discount has been designed to enable parents of young children to transition back to full time work and encourage newcomers to the sector.
Currently, 16 full time staff at Busy Bees at Burpengary East just North of Brisbane are taking advantage of this fantastic 95% staff discount.
Busy Bees CEO, Robert Hughes, says educators have a choice of jobs right now and Busy Bees will continue to position itself as an exciting and supportive employer.
“Offering genuine and real benefits to new and existing staff is our commitment to their growth and long-term careers at Busy Bees,” said Mr Hughes.
Generosity at Green Leaves
Green Leaves Early Learning, which operates 53 centres, provides a free breakfast for all staff and a range of other perks and non-salary incentives, including a 75 per cent discount on gap fees which means they pay no more than $11 per day for childcare.
Other perks include professional development and training, mentoring, bonuses, flexible hours, job-share opportunities and relocation options.
Changing perceptions
Benjamin said that greater understanding and appreciation of the vital role of early education in children’s development is having a positive impact, but that further change is needed to ensure educators stay in the sector.
“Providers are fast realising they need to do more to attract and retain quality staff and we are seeing more effort put into developing career pathways.
“From a trainee position it is now possible to progress to a lead educator or teacher role or alternatively move into operations, management and leadership positions.
“Also, current staff shortages mean employees are in a position to negotiate a package tailored to meet their life and career goals,” Ben said.
To attract more people to early education Ben says we need to focus on the upsides of working in this rewarding and important sector.
“Early education offers an incredibly fulfilling career with flexible hours and benefits that can be tailored around family commitments and career goals.
