Early Learning Workforce Shortages need to be addressed

Findings from the Australian Childcare Alliance’s survey examining workforce participation levels across early learning centres have revealed that every state and territory is bracing through a chronic shortage of early educators.

Findings from the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA)’s survey examining workforce participation levels across early learning centres within Australia have revealed that every state and territory within the nation is bracing through a chronic shortage of early educators.

These shortages, per the ACA, are resulting in hundreds of families and children across Australia being unable to access early learning and care, each week.

Chief Executive Officer of The Parenthood, Georgie Dent said that the findings highlight the need for bold and urgent action on early learning workforce reforms.

“The ACA’s survey findings demonstrate just how urgent the need for reforms is.”

“Hundreds of children across Australia are being denied the life-changing benefits of high-quality early education and care, due to a severe lack of educators.”

“A lack of any significant action on improving educator wages and working conditions has led to a situation which is driving the existing workforce out of the profession in unsustainable numbers while failing to attract new educators.”

“Early childhood educators are some of the most qualified and least paid workers in our country, and this needs to change. The early learning workforce needs to be recognised and fairly compensated for the vital work they do.”

“Improving wages and working conditions will not yield positive outcomes for the educator workforce, but by ensuring workforce stability, will also ensure that children and families continue are able to access early learning, without barriers.”

“A steady and robust early learning workforce will enable families and children across Australia to access vital care and will help provide children with benefits that will last a lifetime.”

“Attempts by Governments at various levels to make early learning more accessible and affordable for families will only be successful by ensuring the stability and longevity of the early learning workforce.”

“We urge decision-makers at all levels of Government to take the urgent and necessary steps needed to address these shortages, and it starts with funding an immediate wage increase for all early educators,” she said.