Upfront

IEUA submission to Productivity Commission Inquiry

Our federal union has made a written submission to the Productivity Commission’s Inquiry into Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC).

The Commission has been asked to make recommendations that will support affordable, accessible, equitable and high-quality ECEC and reduce barriers to workforce participation while supporting children’s learning and development.

IEUA Federal Secretary Brad Hayes said a key priority in our union’s submission was the urgent need to address the workforce crisis across the sector.

“The Federal Government has been on record acknowledging the valuable work and critical role our early childhood education teachers and assistants play in children’s development, but this public acknowledgement is yet to be realised through increased funding for the sector,” Brad said.

“Terms of reference for the comprehensive inquiry will explore affordability, access, workforce and benefits for children – especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“All children deserve universal access to qualified early childhood education teachers delivering high-quality learning in an inclusive setting,” he said.

The inquiry will be focused on delivering two key government goals – providing a foundation for children’s future and success and removing barriers to workforce participation for parents.

There will be a broad consultation process as part of the inquiry, with the Productivity Commission’s final report due on 30 June 2023.

Read the full submission online at ieu.org.au/policy-submission

For our Elders: NAIDOC Week 2023

NAIDOC Week 2023 will be held between Sunday 3 July and Sunday 10 July, with the theme For Our Elders, celebrating the central role of First Nations Elders in guiding generations of advocacy and activism.

First Nations people draw strength from the knowledge and experience of Elders, in everything from land management and cultural knowledge to justice and human rights.

Their influence is evident in the Uluru Statement from the Heart and we encourage IEU members to acknowledge their judgement that a First Nations Voice to Parliament is an opportunity to bring about a fundamental change in the relationship Australia has with its First Nations citizens (Vote 'yes' for a Voice)

As education professionals, IEU members know the importance of First Nations voices in shaping our educational and social systems.

IEU members are encouraged to mark NAIDOC Week in their workplaces to celebrate the rich history, diverse cultures and achievements of First Nations people as the oldest continuing cultures on the planet.

Learning resources and teaching guides, activities and event information for NAIDOC Week can be accessed through the official NAIDOC website (naidoc.org.au)

Revamping our look in NSW/ACT

The IEUA NSW/ACT Branch is undertaking exciting changes that will assist our early childhood teacher members when contacting their union. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your ongoing commitment to the IEU and your loyalty to the union movement. Without your support, we would have not been able to fight for and win workplace improvements, such as the Educational Leader allowance and allocation of non-contact time and improved rates of pay from our work value case. The following changes will be happening over the coming months:

1 Rebranding our early childhood IEU logo – new colours that reflect the early years.

2 Early Childhood Education and Care, ECEC will be the new acronym adopted by the IEU to reflect accepted terminology.

3 A small team of specialist IEU ECEC organisers will have coverage of our ECEC teacher members.

4 Contacting us will be much simpler. ECEC members will be able to email us on our dedicated email ecec@ieu.asn.au.

5 The ECEC organisers are available to chat with you.

It is important that you stay up to date and in contact with your union, particularly with the industrial relations will commence in June.

Changes to NQF from 1 July

Education ministers have agreed to extend workforce transitional arrangements for a further 12 months, until 31 December 2024.

This decision continues to provide flexibility for services and providers during a time of workforce shortages and enables governments to consider any recommendations that may arise out of the national qualifications review.

The following workforce transitional provisions were due to expire on 31 December 2023 and will now continue to apply until 31 December 2024:

Considering the workforce pressures, the ACECQA Board has determined it will also extend its ‘Equivalent to an ECT’ provision until 31 December 2024. See ACECQA website for details: acecqa.gov.au

A place to be me

IEUA NSW/ACT Branch will be offering the following course in Term 2 for members. A Place to Be Me - Supporting Children’s Agency is an interactive workshop which explores the various ways educators can advocate for the child’s right to be.

Participants will explore the Early Years Learning Framework’s (EYLF) notion of being and how, through theory and pedagogy, they can foster a child’s sense of self educator. It will work through strategies to empower each individual child’s autonomy through choice, time, experiences and environments.

The course will contribute two hours of NESA accredited PD towards maintaining Proficient Teacher Accreditation in NSW. Details: ieu.asn.au

Homes for essential workers

Anglicare has produced a report Priced Out, which explores the crisis facing essential workers such as early childhood practitioners trying to find an affordable and secure place to live.

It estimates an average early childhood practitioner would be spending 79 per cent of their income on rent in the national average; 89 per cent in Sydney, 78 per cent in Canberra, 72 per cent in Brisbane and 104 per cent on the Gold Coast.

The report suggests resetting the tax system, including phasing out negative gearing, and reinvesting in social housing.

Read the report at: everybodyshome.com.au/resources/priced-out-an-index-of-affordable-rentals-for-australias-essential-workers/