LHMU - UNION ACTIVE

LHMU childcare union members have been actively contributing to this process through the Big Steps in childcare campaign.

All across Australia members have been writing letters, speaking to other workers, educating parents and meeting with governments to send a strong message about what childcare professionals need to win a quality childcare sector.

Childcare union members have said that Australian Governments need to deliver:

• Improved national standards for ratios
• Professional recognition for childcare professionals through higher qualifications in the sector
• Professional wages for childcare professionals.

What did governments deliver?

• National standards on ratios:
  • 0-2 years, 1:4;
  • 2-3 years, 1:5;
  • 3-5 years, 1:11 to be phased in.
  Where states have a better ratio this will be kept. This will allow a higher quality of education and care.
• Minimum Cert III entry level and 50% of staff having or working towards their Diploma – recognising that to provide consistent quality care governments need to support appropriate training and education.

This decision is a step in the right direction. By working together childcare union members have influenced government and achieved real change in our sector.

What next?

It’s great what childcare union members have already achieved – now it’s time to take the next big steps to win:

1. Professional wages – childcare professionals deliver high quality care and this needs to be recognised and valued with professional wages
2. Support for training – with new minimum qualifications nationally childcare professionals need support by government to achieve the new standards through access to T.A.F.E. and University funded places.
3. Up-skilling and recognition of prior learning. I want government to introduce a scheme that recognises the experience and contribution of experienced early childhood educators to assist in getting higher qualifications.

If you want to WIN professional wages, up-skilling, education and training opportunities you must be in your union.

1. STEP 1: Join your union today
2. STEP 2: Complete your review
3. STEP 3: Talk to your mate about joining the union

What can I do?

Well now it is time to see if your politician made the grade and delivered for childcare professionals.

Fill in your review of government – is it important to you that government delivers on professional wages, up-skilling and recognition of your experience?

Put your voice with other childcare union members and join your union today to create a ROAR no politician can ignore.

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Photos

Top left: Childcare union members from across Australia meet with Minister for Early Childhood Education and Care, Kate Ellis at Parliament House.

Right: Childcare union members working in childcare go to the Big Steps committee to plan and organise the campaign.