The Parenthood, the nation’s peak lobby group for parents, has taken out full-page advertisements in the Daily Telegraph and Sydney Morning Herald today demanding the Prime Minister take responsibility for supporting the essential work of early learning providers and educators.
Executive Director Georgie Dent said, “The early learning crisis unfolding in Sydney and Melbourne is an emergency that cannot go on without dire adverse ramifications for educators, providers, children and families. The Prime Minister needs to recognise this crisis needs fixing.
“The Delta strain has re-written the rules with growing rates of covid infection among children. We now need a strong, urgent Federal Government response to provide a financial survival package for the early learning sector or we risk losing childcare services, places and educator jobs,” she said.
“Without immediate action, providers are being squeezed to breaking point and many families could lose access to early learning after the lockdown. This could have a damaging effect on children’s learning and development and make it harder for parents to work from home or return to work.
“Parents, providers and educators have been left without clarity on early learning, adding to the pressures and stress of the lockdown.
“We need to know early learning providers and educators will be respected and supported financially, and early educators must have priority access to vaccination so they’re safe.
“Investing in the ongoing sustainability of high quality early learning now and in the long-term will benefit children, support parents wanting to get back to work and stimulate the economy. It’s never been more essential,” Ms Dent said.
