The Parenthood Newsletter June 2023

An important process is underway that could lead to early educators getting the pay rise they need! The Queensland government is considering an expansion of free kindy and we're hosting some Instagram live chats with some excellent dads.

Dear friends and supporters,

Yikes we're into another month which means it's time for an update!  

As of Tuesday, an important process is now underway that we believe could lead to early childhood educators getting the pay rise they need! The Queensland government is considering an expansion of free kindergarten program and we're hosting some Instagram live chats with some excellent dads.

We're inviting parents from rural and remote Australia to share their stories trying to access early childhood education, as we strive to help put this issue on the map. Country children and parents shouldn't miss out. Lastly, mark your calendars for our upcoming advocacy training in July.

Thanks for being connected to this journey to create a better future for families across Australia.  

The Parenthood team

MULTI- EMPLOYER BARGAINING APPLICATION A WELCOME OPPORTUNITY TO IMPROVE THE WAGES OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATORS AND TEACHERS
The Parenthood welcomes the application made this week by the United Workers Union and more than 20 early childhood education and care employers to commence Multi-Employer Bargaining in the sector. It is the first application of its kind in Australia through new Multi-Employer Bargaining Laws which came into effect this week. Our media release

FAMILIES NEED MORE HELP TO COPE WITH SOARING INTEREST RATES
The Reserve Bank of Australia has raised interest rates for the twelfth time in just over a year, bringing the official cash rate to 4.1%, and placing additional pressure on many families with young children. Universally accessible, affordable and quality early childhood education and care is a vital way of providing cost of living relief that’s effective and non-inflationary. Read more here

THE PARENTHOOD WELCOMES QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT’S CONSIDERATION OF FREE KINDY
“A free kindergarten program would remove financial barriers to early childhood education, ensuring every child in Queensland has the opportunity to thrive and to reach their full potential, regardless of their socioeconomic background,” says Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, in our media release.

INSTAGRAM LIVE - ALL ABOUT DADS
We’ve organised three Instagram live chats this month and are excited to talk to three outstanding dads who are working hard to make Australia a better place for fathers and their families. This week we spoke to Tom Docking, CEO of Dads Group and next week we're chatting to Sean Johns, Community Relations Manager at the Fathering Project (14th of June.) Then later in the month we're talking to Sean Szeps who has just released his new book ‘Not like other Dads’ (21st June). Tune in this Wednesday on our Instagram at 12pm AEST! 

PARENTS AND GUARDIANS ASKED TO SHARE VIEWS ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
The Parenthood will launch a report in late 2023 with stories from parents and carers who have struggled to access early childhood education and care in regional, remote and rural areas. If that's you, we want to hear your story! If we include enough real stories in the report, we can show decision makers that lack of access to childcare is a serious and widespread issue, and convince them to fix it!

ADVOCACY TRAINING JULY
We are organising another advocacy training in July and would like to invite you to join in! We know, parenting is a MASSIVE unpaid job already and to add volunteering on top of that can be a lot! That's why our volunteering is:

👉 Flexible
👉 Family-friendly
👉 Fun (or we like to think so!)

So join us on July 26th at 7:30pm AEST to learn more, meet others and hear from current volunteers.