AEU calls for active ECEC consultation in lead up to 2025 POM launch

Early childhood educators and teachers must be central to the development of the recently announced Preschool Outcomes Measure (POM), the Australian Education Union (AEU) has said. 

 

“It’s critically important that early childhood teachers and educators are included in the development of learning progressions and assessment tools throughout the entire (POM) process,” AEU Federal President Correna Haythorpe said.

 

“High quality, child-led, play-based learning delivered by a qualified teacher in the early years is shown to have life-changing benefits for children. No one knows this better than the early childhood teachers and educators who work with young Australians every single day. They are the experts working at the coal face,” she added.

 

The AEU will be seeking to ensure:

 

• Participation in the trial remains voluntary.
• Early childhood teachers and educators will be appropriately and fully consulted.
• Investments in professional development associated with the Preschool Outcomes Measure for teachers and educators, including paid time.
• Teachers and educators will have appropriate opportunities for information sharing to ensure best practice implementation and delivery.
• Appropriate measures will be introduced to ensure the development of the Measure and the trial do not further increase ever-growing workloads.

 

“The critical cognitive skills gained in preschool enable children to thrive during their transition to school and help them to become lifelong learners,” Ms Haythorpe said.

 

“To ensure that all children have the opportunity to thrive and are as well prepared for their transition to school as they can be, all Australian Governments must commit to ensuring that every child around Australia has access to two years of preschool delivered by an appropriately qualified teacher.”

 

Learn more about the POM here.