Anita White’s Post

Well done Sam Page. This is important advocacy. With so much momentum in early childhood education and care, genuine improvement to pay and conditions for educators and teachers and the removal of the activity test of the Child Care Subsidy would be timely and demonstrate commitment to children and families and the educators, teachers and leaders of the ECEC sector who turn up every day for children and families. #earlychildhoodaustralia #foreverychildandfamily #acknowledgeourECECeducatorsteachersleaderswithbetterpayandconditions

On behalf of Early Childhood Australia I was pleased to join calls today for the Federal Government to use the 2024 Federal Budget to properly fund a wage increase for early childhood educators and teachers and abolish the activity test on the Child Care Subsidy. Both measures are important steps towards a high quality, universal system of early childhood education and care that delivers genuine benefits to young children and families, particularly women. The activity test was misguided policy that has never acted as an 'incentive to work' but rather a barrier to workforce re-engagement, particularly for women with casual or insecure jobs. It is confusing and unnecessarily bureaucratic. This has meant that many children, particularly those in low income households are missing out on early learning. If we fix this now the return on investment will boost budget bottom lines for years to come. Increasing educator wages is also a good investment to stem the loss of highly skilled and qualified people from the early childhood sector because all the passion in the world doesn't pay the bills. There is compelling evidence that educators deserve a substantial increase and families cannot carry the cost of that, public investment is critical. The cost of not acting needs to be counted - many services are already operating at reduced capacity due to staff shortages, how many more families will be affected before action is taken? Terrific leadership and advocacy from Zoe Daniel, Monique Ryan, Dr Sophie Scamps MP, Allegra Spender, Mehreen Faruqi, Georgie Dent, Kate Carnell, Sue Morphet and others who joined the call. I hope that PM Anthony Albanese, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Education Minister Jason Clare MP will act on the multiple reports provided to government that have recommended these changes. Budgets are always about choices and it is time to prioritize access to early education for children at risk of disadvantage, boost women's workforce participation and focus on long-term economic benefits. #earlychildhood #earlychildhoodeducation #everyonebenefits #thrivebyfive

First our society made it undesirable for women to work outside their homes. ( They should be looking after their children, not stealing men’s jobs)! Then it became impossible for families to live on a single income. ( We need more women in the tax-paying workforce, not loafing at home with their unwelcome spawn)! Now women must work outside their home, but they can’t afford to pay anyone to look after the children. (Women must work and pay taxes - we have no value at all for child rearing, as long as the kids survive long enough to pay taxes)! But the population is dropping. Taxpayers will soon be very old and very rare. Women are tired of being used. If children are valued, women will only know this if society demonstrates it. Show us the money, and we’ll talk.

📢Early Childhood Ireland calls for urgent investment in Early Years and School Age Care As the Dáil reopened last week, Early Childhood Ireland called for a new investment target for Early Years and School Age Care with a five-year plan, to guarantee that it is achieved. With a general election due in the coming months, Budget 2025 is the last chance for this government to deliver for 300,000 children and make a lasting difference for future generations too: https://loom.ly/qBuGoQM #QualityForChildren #Budget2025 #4AsksForChildren

As we approach the 2024 Federal Budget, it’s crucial to confront an undeniable truth: no child should be denied high-quality early education. Yet, under our current system, it is the most vulnerable children who are often left behind. Our path towards universal access to early childhood education needs action now. We cannot afford to delay significant reform for another year. Each year we postpone, we fail another cohort of children. We need to: ✅ Ensure every child has access to at least 30 hours of early education per week, regardless of their family's circumstances. ✅ Boost funding and provide the necessary policy changes to recognise early childhood educators and teachers and increase their pay. Low wages for early childhood educators are not only unjust; they perpetuate ongoing staff shortages in a sector that was already under strain before Covid and is now in crisis. Investing in our children is not just a moral obligation; it is a critical investment in our collective future. It recognises our shared responsibility to ensure that no child in our nation is left behind (especially the most vulnerable and disadvantaged). And it makes economic sense too. Improved early childhood education facilitates higher workforce participation among parents, particularly women, boosting overall economic activity and growth. Investing in early childhood education is cost-effective, yielding high returns in terms of reduced future costs in education, healthcare, and social services. It just makes sense, no matter how you look at it. Our children can't wait. We need to start now. #EarlyChildhoodEducation #EarlyLearningMatters #FederalBudget2024

Early Childhood Ireland is calling for the Government to improve Early Years capacity in Budget 2025 to reduce the number of young children on waiting lists. Our Policy in Action dives into the data on Early Years settings waiting lists and we discuss how proper planning, along with elevating Early Years and School Age Care to the same status as primary education in Ireland will address this problem. Read the full post here: https://loom.ly/DcVe2so #QualityForChildren #4AsksForChildren #Budget2025

Attention all advocates for quality education! The time to act is now. For far too long, the development of the early childhood education has been delayed, leaving countless young children without access to high-quality education opportunities. Despite our constant emphasis on the importance of early years education, the necessary support to provide such education has been lacking. The shortage of educators in this sector is reaching critical levels, exacerbated by demanding workloads and insufficient wages. This not only undermines the current workforce but also perpetuates burnout and heightened stress levels. It's time to demand change. It's unacceptable that those entrusted with shaping the minds of our youngest learners are undervalued and overburdened. We call upon the government to allocate funding and advocate for substantial wage increases and improved working conditions for early childhood educators. We are not mere babysitters or nannies; we are early childhood teachers/educators, dedicated to shaping the future generation, and it's time we receive the recognition and support we deserve. Let's make our voices heard. Together, we can ensure that every child receives the quality education they deserve in their crucial first five years. The future of our society depends on it. Join us in advocating for a brighter future through elevated early childhood education. Let's unite, be heard, and make a difference! #EarlyChildhoodEducation #TeacherAdvocacy #Budget2024

The UK government's 2024 Budget, announced on October 30, 2024, has brought significant changes and investments to the education sector. This comprehensive analysis delves into the key aspects of the budget, exploring how it will impact early years providers, schools, colleges, and children's social care across the United Kingdom. Read more: https://zurl.co/WJI0 #UKEducationBudget2024 #EducationInvestment #BritishEducation #UKEducationReform #EducationFunding #SchoolsBudget #CollegesFunding #EarlyYearsEducation #ChildrensSocialCare #EducationPolicy #UKGovernmentBudget #EducationNews #FutureOfEducation

D.C.'s Pay Equity Fund represents hopeful progress in compensating #earlychildhood educators as the professionals they are. Many states are beginning to develop their own dedicated funding streams to do the same. But, as the article notes, it all relies on the #politicalwill to pursue and sustain funding. (As we saw in D.C. earlier this year, the Pay Equity Fund landed on the chopping block when it was time to consider trimming the budget. Thanks to considerable #advocacy, the program kept 80% of its funding. Should teachers have to protest for their earned pay? A question for another day...) What provides the foundation for political will? #MentalModels: -- Do we value the earliest stages of development as much as the elementary years and beyond? -- Do we believe that all kids deserve healthy, safe, high-quality learning environments? -- Do we believe that access to affordable early care and education has an impact on the strength, safety, and prosperity of our society as a whole? -- Do we believe that investing in each other's kids demonstrates care for the future of our broader communities? -- Do we believe in fair compensation and equal pay for equal work? Especially in a democratic environment, the extent to which we all agree on the answers to the above will dictate the system structure. (And its volatility.) The prevailing paradigms hold more enduring change potential than the parameters, goals, or social/political contracts we devise (credit to Donella Meadows, linked below). That is to say, we can't rely on policy alone, because policy can change with every set of leaders that each election cycle brings. Sure, disagreements on means to ends will still exist, even with agreed-upon mental models. But that agreement acts as a strong filter for what we entertain as options, what we prioritize, and the compromises we're willing to make. And that filter doesn't have to be changed every 2-4 years. https://lnkd.in/gXThAxCH

In a definite profound move that aims to revolutionize the landscape of early childhood education and care in Australia, global powerhouse • Hon. Jason Clare, Minister for Education at the Parliament of Australia, has unveiled the visionary Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers Bill. This momentous legislation is set to redefine the standards of fairness and economic sustainability within the crucial sector of early childhood education. At the heart of this transformative bill lies a commitment to ensuring fair and just compensation for early childhood educators, who play an indispensable role in shaping the minds and futures of young Australians. The primary objective of the bill is to implement a substantial 15% pay rise for these dedicated professionals, providing them with the recognition and remuneration they truly deserve. This significant increase translates into tangible benefits for early childhood education and care educators, with a typical worker receiving a minimum pay rise of $103 per week, a figure that will escalate to at least $155 per week by December 2025. However, the impact of this bill extends beyond the ocean of individual workers to encompass a broader societal benefit that resonates with all Australian families. In a strategic move to maintain affordability and accessibility for families seeking early childhood education and care services, providers will be restricted from raising their fees by more than 4.4% over the next 12 months. This dual approach of enhancing wages for educators while curbing price hikes for families represents a harmonious balance that fosters a sustainable and equitable ecosystem for all stakeholders involved. The Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers Bill embodies a progressive vision that encapsulates the core values of fairness, prosperity, and social responsibility. By prioritizing the well-being of workers and families alike, this legislation heralds a new era of empowerment and dignity for early childhood educators while safeguarding the interests of Australian households. It stands as a testament to Hon. Jason Clare's universal commitment to championing positive change and fostering a brighter future for all members of society. As the bill paves the way for a paradigm shift in the early childhood education and care sector, it sets a precedent for other nations to emulate and aspire to. Through its innovative approach and holistic perspective, this bold initiative exemplifies the transformative power of policy-making when driven by a clear purpose and a noble objective. Hon. Jason Clare's vision for wage justice is not just a legislative proposal; it is a beacon of hope and progress that illuminates the path towards a more equitable and prosperous future for Australia. #WageJusticeforEducators #FairPayFairPlay #EmpoweringEarlyChildhoodWorkers #BuildingABetterFuture #AustraliaEducationRevolution #JasonClareMP