|
The Australian public is ready for action to improve the quality of early childhood
education and care with a new poll showing 84 per cent of people want quality child care
to be a priority for the Federal Government, said Early Childhood Australia (ECA) today.
ECA, the peak organisation advocating for children in Australia, said the community is
calling for leadership from State and Federal Governments to agree and implement a
reform agenda to improve the quality of early childhood education and care.
Hands Up for Quality: Campaigning for better early childhood education and care
ECA National President Margaret Young will be launching the first national campaign
mobilising parents, service providers and staff to show their support for changes to early
childhood education and care at the Capital Hill Early Childhood Centre in Parliament
House, Canberra on Thursday 29 October.
At the launch ECA will present the Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child
Care, Kate Ellis with a new report, which advocates for quality in early childhood
education and care.
'Through the Hands Up For Quality campaign, parents will be sending a clear message
to all levels of Government that they want better quality standards in early childhood
education and care. They know quality matters, and they want action.' said Margaret
Young.
ECA is calling on the State and Federal Governments to agree to urgent reforms in the
sector, including qualifications for all childcare staff and improved staff-to-child ratios, at
the COAG meeting in Brisbane on 7 December.
'Improving conditions for our children's care and education from birth to school age is
riding on the COAG decision. The Australian public expects the State and Federal
Governments to work together to agree and implement the reform agenda.
'By improving staff qualifications, staff-to-child ratios and group sizes, we can achieve
high quality early childhood education and care.' Ms Young said.
ECA said that although 92 per cent of people consider employing and retaining
experienced and qualified staff to be important, and 85 per cent see increasing staff-to children
ratios as important, there is still some opposition to better quality childcare.
'Reforming the early childhood education and care sector is essential for parents, the
community and young children, yet there is still a backlash out there from some
stakeholders who want to wage a scare campaign over costs.
'The mass, cross community support for these reforms tells us the scare campaign does
not reflect community concern about the quality of early childhood education and care.'
Media contact
Media Contact: Claire Johnston 0434 489 533 and visit www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/handsupforquality.html for campaign updates.and information.
If you liked this article, you can 'social bookmark' it with others who might be searching for good content on early childhood. This means you can share your favourite webpages with others, or just keep an online list of your bookmarks so you can access them on any computer.
Read more about social bookmarks
|
|
