Childcare workers petition Minister

Date: 25 November 2009

Childcare professionals Anya Errey and Kylie Schneider met with NSW Minister for Community Services Linda Burney last week and handed over more than six hundred petitions from childcare professionals and parents.

Over the past few months, childcare activists in centres across NSW had been busy getting parents and other childcare professionals to sign petitions calling on Minister Burney to ensure reforms in the sector deliver quality care.handing over petitions

"The Minister was impressed because she'd heard quite a lot from parents who were stressed about rising childcare costs. But [the petitions] show that [parents] are happy to pay that extra money for better quality care," Anya says. "It was good to know that parents are supportive."anya

Anya says the experience of meeting Ministers is always exciting. Earlier this year, she met Deputy PM Julia Gillard and Minister for Early Childhood Education Kate Ellis, to lobby them for better quality childcare and professional wages for staff as part of the BIG STEPS campaign.

This time, Anya and Kylie spoke to Minister Burney about the COAG reforms, ratios and staff qualifications. "The main thing we discussed was ratios," Anya says. Childcare professionals want to work with the government to make sure ratios are improved in line with research and best practice.kylie

Minister Burney committed to improving ratios in the lower ages. While the national move is for 1:11 in the 3 to 5 age group, Minister Burney made a commitment to childcare professionals that the NSW ratio of 1:10 will be maintained.

In relation to upskilling of the workforce, Minister Burney spoke positively about funding for training and recognition of prior learning for existing staff.

The Minister was also very supportive of professional wages and will continue to work with childcare professionals on the problem.

"We also talked about the ABC sale," Anya says. "We told her we didn't want the debacle like last time. We want a buyer who will do the right thing."

Are you a childcare professional? Come be a part of the BIG STEPS in childcare campaign. For more information, check out our website or contact the Member Service Centre on 1800 805 027.

For further information

Contact:	Mark Boyd
Union:	Secretary, LHMU NSW
WWW:	http://www.lhmu.org.au/

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