Upfront

ACCC report: better pay, better outcomes

In January, after a year-long inquiry, the ACCC released its report into ‘childcare markets’. It found the availability and quality of staff delivering ECEC services has a significant impact on the quality, reputation and profitability (through influencing occupancy) of a service, with a stable tenure and continuity of staff also contributing to service viability.

It also found that rural, regional and low socio-economic status areas are underserved.

The ACCC has recommended government influence the location of centres, rather than leave it to the market, so remote areas are not underserved.

The IEU supports the findings that continuity and quality of staff have a direct impact on the reputation, viability and quality of a service.

It is hoped these finding support the bargaining application before the Fair Work Commission for multi-employer enterprise agreements for the early education and care sector (see below).

Long day care: Supported bargaining update

Negotiations for a supported bargaining agreement (SBA) to cover teachers and educators employed in long day care services run by 64 employers in NSW continued in February.

Everyone agrees significant pay increases and access to professional development are required to improve workforce attraction and retention, professionalism and service quality. The IEU is pushing hard for the SBA to provide for increased planning/non-contact time to help teachers to manage workload pressures. Federal Government representatives attended further meetings in February.

It is envisaged that the SBA will include the Educational Services (Teachers) Award conditions in addition to:

1.A substantial pay rise (unions are seeking a 25% increase on award rates of pay).

2.Greater access to paid time professional development.

3.A two-hour minimum engagement for part-time teachers.

4.Improved pay progression. If proficiency cannot be secured through no fault of the teacher, they may still progress to a higher classification.

5.Support for teachers to mentor early career teachers.

6.Access to long service leave in periods of at least one day.

7.Confirmation that no employee will suffer a reduction in their rate of pay or conditions where these are superior to those contained in the agreement.

8.A pathway to dispute resolution by the Fair Work Commission for issues arising in the SBA or National Employment Standards.

9.Recognition of union delegates.

10.Employer provision of ICT (computers, tablets) for work purposes.

QNT collective bargaining update

Collective bargaining for IEU-QNT members employed in affiliate community kindergarten and preschool services will continue throughout 2024, with members encouraged to voice their key concerns.

IEU-QNT Assistant Secretary Nicole Kapernick said members’ active involvement in recent collective bargaining has achieved significant protections for:

  • classifications
  • remuneration
  • superannuation
  • hours of duty, and
  • allowances.

“In addition to the above, most affiliate kindergartens/preschools with active IEU members have collectively bargained for further improvements to working conditions and wages,” Nicole said.

These benefits include:

  • superannuation employer contributions of up to 12.75%
  • conversion of Senior Teacher allowance to a substantive salary
  • introduction of Experienced Senior Teacher classification
  • inclusion of a Senior Assistant’s allowance, and
  • up to 20 days paid pandemic leave.

Nicole said collective bargaining for replacement agreements in C&K Branch services and Lady Gowrie Branch services would commence in the latter half of 2024.

“We strongly encourage IEU members employed by C&K and Lady Gowrie to become actively involved in bargaining and to contribute feedback to the surveys that will be forthcoming to inform the employee log of claims,” she said.

“The active engagement of members in the collective bargaining process contributes to our collective strength and will achieve better pay and conditions.

Safety report

The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has released the Review of Child Safety Arrangements Report under the National Quality Framework (NQF).

The Report made 16 recommendations regarding physical and online safety, child supervision and staffing requirements in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings.

Education Ministers across Australia were presented with the Report in December 2023 and requested senior officials to consult with the ECEC sector about the report’s recommendations.

Advice on implementing the Report’s recommendations will be presented to Education Ministers in early 2024.

Although the NQF is internationally recognised for providing a robust regulatory scheme for ensuring children’s health, safety and wellbeing, the report indicates more can be done to ensure the NQF remains contemporary and fit-for-purpose.

“This report highlights the NQF can be better, and the Australian Government is committed to making it better so our children have a positive, rewarding and safe early childhood education,” Minister for Early Childhood Education Dr Anne Aly said.

IEU members can access the full report and read the recommendations online at acecqa.gov.au/child-safety-review