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In January, Early Childhood Australia reported on Kevin Rudd's announcement regarding Labor's early years policy and also publicised this in the following ECA WebWatch (issue 22, Feb).
Darren Varley, from the Box Hill Institute in Victoria, responded to our news item in February. We'd like to share his comments, as well as ECA National President Margaret Young's reply.
Early Childhood Australia is keen to hear about your thoughts on any early childhood matters, including this one. Correspondence can be sent to publishing@earlychildhood.org.au or PO Box 7105, Watson ACT 2602.
You can read the initial report on Labor's early years policy announcement here.
Darren Varley, Box Hill Institute
From: Darren VARLEY
Sent: Thursday, 8 February 2007
To: Early Childhood Australia
Subject: ATTN: Margaret Young RE:Rudd's funding announcement
Margaret Young's comments in response to the Federal Oppositions' announcement of funding for Early Childhood is interesting.
'The recognition of the importance of qualified early childhood teachers in early childhood settings is a step in the right direction. Research clearly shows the positive benefits this brings to all children under five who use preschools and child care. ECA believes there should be qualified teachers in all early childhood settings'.
I would ask Margaret why she has made no comment that there will only be University places available and no TAFE places.
Given that the percentage of University trained Early Childhood workers is probably less than 10%, how will this help families and children in the Long Day Centres?
'However, this initiative must take into account the variation in children's attendance in long day care, as opposed to preschools. It needs to be flexible in order to account for the different ways in which programs operate. It will not realise its potential if services are required to employ an early childhood teacher for a set 15 hours every week, as this allowance will not cover the full range of attendance of children in long day care settings. The aim must be to have a qualified teacher delivering the whole program'.
Are you saying in your comment on the website, that University trained workers will now have more opportunity to work in a Long Day environment with the proposed funding? Or are you thinking that University is used in a 'global' sense to incorporate ALL Tertiary places? I think that an organisation as ECA your goal is to help ALL involved in this industry and not the 'perceived' privileged few.
As a teacher in TAFE I find it very frustrating when discussing these issues with students, who are already disillusioned about the industry, that they are supported by the relevant Early Childhood Associations. Your comments clearly add to there disappointment.
I understand that you are trying to be positive about any money for our industry and I too agree that this is important. However you had a great opportunity to add to the discussion by putting the case for more support in the TAFE sector and it seems you clearly did not.
I would like this email put on your website for open discussion, as I am unable to find the place for this.
Happy to hear a reply from you also.
Sincerely,
Darren Varley
Teacher
Child and Family Studies
Box Hill Institute
Early Childhood Australia National President Margaret Young's letter
22 February 2007
Dear Darren
Thank you for your response to my comments regarding Kevin Rudd's
announcement of 29 January 2007. Your comments and questions are valuable. I
certainly apologise for any offence given and welcome the opportunity to clarify my
own (and ECA's) position. Indeed it would have been much better for me to also
refer to our support for Labor's additional commitment (not highlighted in that
announcement) to ‘get rid of' TAFE fees for eligible childcare courses as a strategy
for encouraging more people to undertake the nationally recognised Diploma of
Children's Services.
ECA has long held the view that early childhood teachers and diploma-qualified staff
should work together in early childhood services, and that the ideal situation would
be if there were consistent requirements (and funding mechanisms) for this around
Australia. Over many years, people with diploma qualifications have made a
valuable contribution to children through their work in many early childhood services.
However, the research is also showing the value of the contribution of degree-qualified
early childhood teachers, especially when they are in leadership positions,
in the program delivery team.
ECA does not accept the 'care' and 'education' division that underpins some of
Australia's funding and service programs. This division is historical and is not related
to what we know about children's learning. Learning takes place from birth and in all
settings. Research is increasingly showing that learning is most effective where:
- there are small group sizes
- there are high staff:child ratios
- all staff are well compensated
- the program is led by highly qualified and committed early childhood
teachers, who provide active support to all staff.
For example, see the paper by Ellen Galinsky at http://www.ced.org/docs/report/report_prek_galinsky.pdf My own practical experience is that teams of early childhood teachers and diploma-qualified staff working together in programs, where 'care' and 'education' are fully integrated for all age groups across the day's program, are very powerful in delivering quality.
So the answer is yes, ECA would like to see degree-qualified early childhood
teachers in all early childhood settings, but we would also like to see many more
diploma qualified people as well – and for them to be working together in strong
teams where there is recognition of the knowledge, skill and contribution of both. We
do understand that this is not yet the case in many services, and encourage all
involved to continue to make their own valuable contribution for the wellbeing of
young children. We will continue to put the case for this, and for the importance of
proper recognition and remuneration, to both government and opposition.
Thank you to you, your colleagues and students for your concern and commitment. I
hope you will stay with us in working on these and other issues for the benefit of
children.
Yours sincerely
Margaret Young
National President
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