DIGITAL NOTICEBOARD

I worked in this sector for 4 decades following teaching in a primary school. Requirements and changes over that period of time were immense. As a past Director and spending many years in the training sector I continued to be frustrated by the lack of recognition for Early Childhood educators in regard to remuneration and leave benefits. While the announced pay increase is way overdue the current proposal of 15% in two stages is not enough. By the time they are implemented the cost of living will devour the increase.

I think you do an amazing job, But I think you are over worked and under paid. Any work other than training to improve your qualifications should be paid.

We at The Ridge support your endeavors to increase the wages of early childhood educators. Keep up the good work…!!

I wholeheartedly support the call for better wages. As a parent, I’ve seen the incredible impact these professionals have on children’s lives. An educators’ patience, care, and expertise in teaching vital life skills and fostering early education are invaluable. They create a nurturing environment where children feel safe, understood and supported, which is crucial for their development. However, I’m deeply concerned about the current state of the early learning sector. Staff shortages and high turnover rates are unsettling for children and families. Without a significant boost to wages, we risk losing these crucial educators who shape our children's futures. We must ensure educators are financially supported and this essential industry is protected. Our children's early years are too important to compromise. It’s time for the Federal Government to acknowledge the crisis and act to support and retain qualified educators. Thank you to all educators. you are making a profound difference

I work in QLd Ed, I took on more days at school because the 15th a free Kindy was available. We can no longer get free kindy as our centre cannot get a Kindergarten teacher. So now half my wage is going to kindy fees. How is people who go to work are less benefited then people who do don’t?

As a parent of a 3-year-old and partner to an dedicated educator who has been on the industry for over 10 year, I know how important our educators are for children's early years and how overworked and underpaid they are for the time and energy they commit, not to mention their qualifications. As a proud UWU member, it's been wonderful to see a dedicated campaign to raise wages, improve conditions and address the economic benefits improving the early education industry would have on Australian society. Thanks educators for all you do. Fight and win!

You are the most brilliant team, thank you so much for all you do. I wish more of you were in the union, so you could get paid a fair wage for what you give to our family and our society.

Considering our children are our future, it is appalling how little childcare educators are considered important, acknowledged and paid.

Ive worked in the industry myself and now have my own child attending, i know you all do your best with what you have but the industry is overworked and underpayed. Thanks for doing your best.

Treat childcare educators with respect and pay them what they are worth!

Our early childhood educators do one of the most critical roles in society, and yet are remunerated appallingly. There is excellent evidence to demonstrate that high quality early childhood education leads to improved short and long term outcomes for children, which is therefore beneficial for society. Why are we not investing in this, giving the people who make it happen appropriate recognition and attracting people to work in this highly critical sector? The argument to remunerate early childhood educators is economical and an absolute no brainer. However Australian policy around families and early childhood education/childhood education appears to be based on gender stereotypes and outdated social constructs rather than evidence and what actually benefits society. The Australian economy is losing out on so much because policy makers are not investing in high quality early childhood education and appropriately paying the professionals who provide this service.

I am an educator, getting ready to have my first child. My baby isn't even here yet and I can already feel the importance of having educators I know and trust to look after my child when I can't care for him myself! Early childhood educators bring such enrichment to the lives of children and families – without them, everything stops. They say "it takes a village to raise a child" – educators, YOU are The Village. Please give them the recognition they deserve!!! THANK YOU EDUCATORS FOR ALL YOU DO!

We're just beginning on our early years learning journey with our son Matthew – and all the educators we've met have been so fantastic! They're all so passionate about the growth and education of the kids in their care… It's about time our government recognised them for the incredible work they are doing!

I would like to say that all the child care centres are getting worse day after day. We all need to stand up together and do something to support the educators who are not being respected

I would like to say that all the child care centres are getting worse day after day. We all need to stand up together and do something about this. GUARDIAN, PLATYPUS, Eden Academy, Explorers Boronia, blue birds are all the same. Casuals are being treated with no respect

It's time for a pay rise for our kid's educators! Thanks for everything you do!

The early childhood profession is just that: a profession. It's time to pay the workers the wages that they have been demanding and deserve. Let's take the profits out of shareholder portfolios and get into the pockets of our educators.

Educators deserve better! The first 5 years are recognised as the most influential in children’s lives, yet we do the bare minimum for the people that hold the responsibility in shaping our future generations.. Give Educators the respect and pay they not only deserve but need to continue making an impact on Australian children

Our educators set our children up for life! Everything would stop without them.

Keep up the excellent work that you do all day every day as you shape,guide, and teach (whilst caring for) the children of the future. You are the first stepping stone that starts their life journey and education and you should be so proud of yourselves! I feel that I have the best job in the world, but I like you wish that the conditions were easier to give even better to my children, parents, Centre, and Community than I already do. Together we can make a change to benefit everyone because if the staff are happy the Sector will benefit in the long run.