Educators in early childhood education are advocating for wage increases to attract and retain preschool staff, especially with subsidies aimed at increasing enrollments.
The Independent Education Union has submitted a request to the Fair Work Commission seeking a pay raise of up to 25 percent for employees at over 100 community-based preschools in New South Wales (NSW).
According to preschool teacher Janene Rox, who spoke to reporters on July 5, there is a severe shortage of staff in the education sector, particularly in early learning.
Ms. Rox questioned why teachers in the preschool sector are paid less compared to other professionals who support the youngest members of the community.
Carol Matthews, the union’s secretary, highlighted the wage disparity between early-career school teachers and preschool teachers, emphasizing that this gap contributes to the staffing shortage.
She stressed the urgent need for improved pay and conditions to address the workforce crisis in the sector.
The union is urging the NSW government to allocate funds for enhancing the pay and conditions of teachers and educators in community preschools.
Raising wages in this predominantly female industry could help reduce the gender pay gap and support parents managing caregiving responsibilities, according to Ms. Matthews.
Premier Chris Minns acknowledged that teachers are driven by passion rather than monetary rewards, emphasizing the importance of ensuring real wage growth to retain professionals in the sector.
About two percent of early childhood educators in the state are directly employed by the government, prompting the commission to involve the government in bargaining for other workers and securing funding for pay increases.
Education and Early Learning Minister Prue Car expressed support for the process and emphasized the significance of pay in attracting more early childhood educators.
She highlighted the importance of affordable preschool in providing children with a strong foundation for kindergarten and subsequent academic success.
Ms. Car underscored the government’s commitment to making preschool accessible and affordable to families, emphasizing the role of subsidies in easing financial burdens for parents.
In the recent budget, the government allocated $1.8 billion towards early education, continuing fee relief and investing in the construction of additional public preschools.
Opposition education spokeswoman Sarah Mitchell acknowledged the importance of quality early learning and expressed concerns about access issues faced by families and children.
She emphasized the need to ensure that children receive adequate support before starting school to facilitate their educational journey.
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