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Jan 2004 Overview of Child Care Workforce Think Tank |
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RECOMMENDATION AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE
1.Community perceptions
That there be a campaign to raise awareness of the importance of the early years for children's development and capacity as a foundation for future life and, in so doing, demonstrate the value and competence of people working with young children during this crucial time of life. Children's Services Sub-Committee (CSSC) to follow up.
The National Agenda for Early Childhood will seek to increase recognition of the importance of developing social competence and skills for life-long learning in early childhood.
2.Government funding
That governments address the costs of improving the pay and conditions of the early childhood workforce while ensuring that the cost to families is affordable.
The Australian Government agrees that child care workers should be appropriately remunerated. It is not up to governments to determine, however, what the remuneration should be.
The Department of Family and Community Services (FaCS) to work with state and territory governments to ensure that all parties that can make a difference on these issues agree to take up that responsibility.
The revised National Child Care Planning System for the allocation of approved child care places was implemented on 1 July 2003.Depending on the recommendations that emerge from Child Care Support Broadband Redevelopment consultations, the department may plan for the targeting of funding for child care services, including possible links with state and territory and local government planning processes.
3A.Pay and conditions .A
That the Commonwealth support the principle that pay and conditions of the early childhood workforce (including 0 to 12 years old) be commensurate with the value placed by the community and government on the skills, roles and responsibilities of the workforce and the value to the nation of high quality early childhood services.
The Australian Government agrees that the work undertaken by child care professionals should be valued by the community and appropriately remunerated. It is not for governments to determine, however, what the remuneration should be.
FaCS to work with state and territory government departments to ensure that all parties that can make a difference on these issues agree to take up that responsibility.
3B.Pay and conditions. B
Unless cost implications of pay and conditions for child care workers are taken into account, there is a clear risk that the child care system as we know it will collapse to the detriment of children and families.
The Australian Government acknowledges cost implications of pay and conditions for child care workers, and provides Child Care Benefits to families to make child care more affordable. In addition child care centres and parents need to play a role in funding increases to child care services as a result of increases to pay and conditions for child care workers.
The Australian Government agrees that the work undertaken by child care professionals should be valued by the community and appropriately remunerated. It is not for governments to determine, however, what that remuneration should be. The Australian Government will continue to monitor child care fees and their impact and liaise with the sector when appropriate.
FaCS to continue to prepare regulatory impact statements in response to identified changes in the child care system.
4.Training and professional development
To develop a strategic approach to training and development of the children ' s services workforce that:
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Supports a highly skilled and knowledgeable workforce
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Creates a professional language and culture
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Responds to diverse and changing needs of Australian families
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Offers flexible and diverse pathways for professional development (linked to career pathways).
CSSC to follow up.
The $.5 million funding allocated for the Stronger Families and Community Strategy Early Childhood Initiative be used to implement relevant pilot strategies.
Review of the role of Resource and Advisory Agencies and In-Service Training providers as a part of the broadband redevelopment.
FaCS to work with state and territory government departments, Australian National Training Authority and higher education institutions to address workforce training and development issues.
5.National workforce planning
That the Commonwealth take a lead in partnership with the states and territories and, as a matter of urgency, take steps to develop, implement and monitor a national workforce plan.
CSSC to develop a national workforce plan and consider a national standards qualification for entry and development.
CSSC identify strategies to attract and retain qualified Indigenous staff for implementation by the Australian, state and territory governments.
Review of the role of Resource and Advisory Agencies and In-Service Training providers as a part of the broadband redevelopment to address recruitment and retention issues.
National Agenda for Early Childhood has identified early learning and care as one of the priority action areas. The same issues raised at the Think Tank have been raised during the National Agenda consultations and will be considered as the National Agenda is developed.
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 27 September 2005 )
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