The ACTU welcomes the Labor Party’s commitment to the proper and timely funding for early childhood education and for early childhood educators in this country.
Affordable and accessible early childhood education and care helps ensure that all children get the best start in life.
This package recognises the great importance of the early childhood education and care workforce, who provide the high quality education and care that is key to our children’s future success.
The ACTU also welcomes the proposal’s recognition of the value of these workers through its commitment to support higher wages and better conditions for these workers through the Fair Work Commission.
Access to professional development and training is another key to ensuring early childhood educators are able to deliver high quality care.
The proposal’s moves to restore the Coalition government’s cuts to the Professional Support Program and introduce a $150m Educator Professional Development Program are significant positive steps to address this issue.
The ACTU also welcomes the ALP’s commitment to develop a workforce strategy for the sector.
This policy release shows that the ALP are committed to ensuring more Australian children have access to early childhood education and that the educators working in the sector are fairly remunerated.
