Peaks speak up for ECEC ahead of Victorian state election

Peak bodies Community Child Care Association (CCC), Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) and Early Childhood Australia (ECA) are calling on the major parties to prioritise children’s education and care in the lead-up to the Victorian state election via a joint six point submission.

“The incoming Victorian state government has a new opportunity to improve outcomes across the whole education and care sector, by co-investing in systemic change with the federal government,” Julie Price, Executive Director of CCC shared.

“Our submission focuses on the unique opportunities made possible by both state investment, and by leveraging investment at a state and federal level. Our children need us to get it right, and to do it right now.”

The joint submission outlines the following solutions:

Short term: greater investment in and coordination of current inclusion programs, and increased accountability of deliverables and outcomes. Long term: state and federal government co-designed Inclusion Support Program to strengthen Victoria’s commitment to the inclusion of all children.

Mandate National Quality Standard Assessment and Rating at least every three years.

Support services in vulnerable communities to apply for Excellent and Exceeding ratings.

Work with the Federal Government to co-invest in a retention bonus payment for all Victorian educators across the sector.

Provide support to ensure a sustainable not-for-profit sector.

New government-owned and community-managed services are created in consultation with communities to cater to their unique needs.

ELAA CEO David Worland said that children with disabilities, developmental delays, serious health conditions, trauma and other challenges are less likely to participate in high-quality education and care, despite having the most to gain from these services.

He went on to address concerns about the pace of quality assessments across the system.

“Parents need to be able to trust that when they choose a service, the rating reflects the current operations of the service. Many services have not been rated for more than four years.”

To address the workforce shortage issue the peak bodies have put forward the provision of a one-off retention bonus payment of $3,000 for Victorian educators, funded by state and federal governments.

“To support our workforce to provide high- quality education and care for children from birth to school-age, our workforce must see an increase in salaries, and better working conditions,” Marie Howard, ECA Victoria branch President, said.

The joint submission can be found here.