ECA explains role in ECEC Relief Package responding to sector speculation

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) released a statement yesterday outlining its role within the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, and influence on governmental decision making. 

The peak advocacy body told readers that ECA had received “a lot of comments” since the announcement last week by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, and Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan that the Child Care Subsidy would be scraped in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, described by ECA as “a radical new package”.

“We’ve also been the subject of much speculation about our role,” the statement continued, before making it clear that while ECA has been “constantly advocating” on behalf of the ECEC sector, they were “not invited by the Minister to design the package”. 

“ECA did not receive any advance warning about the measures and had no knowledge of the content until the package was announced,” the statement emphasised. 

Having pushed for decisive and urgent action since February, ECA said they had been in ongoing discussions with the Government about the importance of strong support measures for the sector in the face of what they termed “imminent collapse”.

ECA pledged to continue to advocate for the sector’s ongoing viability and for the health and safety of educators and young children, as well as seeking “more explicit support and directives on safe practices during the pandemic.”

The advocacy body said it will continue to call for “transparent government decision making” and clear messaging, telling ECEC professionals that it is vital that government and parliamentary representatives “understand the impact of ‘closed door’ decision-making”.

ECA is seeking examples of modeling and practice under the ECEC relief package in order to support ongoing advocacy efforts. These may be emailed to [email protected]

“The COVID-19 pandemic will continue to affect our sector and the community for many more months. There is a lot of work ahead and many questions to be answered. Thank you for your dedication and professionalism in such difficult and uncertain times,” the statement read in closing. 

To access the statement, and other COVID 19 resources as collated by ECA, please see here.