ANZSCO elevates the ECEC profession by eliminating childcare from terminology

Many in the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector have advocated for a number of years around the use of professional language, calling for terms such as ‘childcare’, ‘centre’ and ‘day care’ to be replaced with wording that reflects the complexity of working with children and families. 

Last week, the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) announced proposed changes to occupation titles defined by the Australian New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) in line with this advocacy. 

Shaping our Future – the National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy, led by the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), states that terms such as “childcare” and “child minding” reinforce derogatory perceptions of the role of the ECEC sector and the professional aspect of teacher and educator roles.

As such, the outdated terms childcare worker and childcare centre manager have now been replaced with early childhood educator and children’s education and care service director. 

“It’s great to see the ABS announcing proposed changes to occupation titles defined by ANZSCO to modern titles that accurately reflect the crucial roles that our early childhood educators and teachers provide,” a spokesperson from Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) said.

“Additionally, we welcome that references to carers and childcare will be removed and that lead statements will align with the National Quality Framework (NQF).”

ELAA vowed to continue to engage with its  members when deciding on the terminology used in the upcoming negotiations for the Victorian Early Childhood Teacher and Educator Agreement (VECTEA) 2024 and to attempt to remain consistent with contemporary language used in the ECEC sector.

Please follow this link to read the agreed preliminary changes to the ANZSCO titles, including changes to out of school hours care, middle management roles and Family Day Care.