Exclusive: Desperately short of qualified staff, childcare centres ask to bend the rules
The latest data reveals that 8.1 per cent of childcare providers operated with a staffing waiver in the first quarter of 2022.The staff shortage is likely to get worse and could undermine the Albanese government’s promise to lower childcare costs.More childcare centres are operating without enough qualified early childhood teachers because of a worsening staff shortage that could undermine the federal government’s pledge to make childcare more affordable.
Jobs data indicates the shortage is likely to get worse, and could affect the sector’s ability to deliver on the Albanese government’s promiseNational Skills Commission data also shows that in May, the number of vacancies in early childhood education and care hit a record 6648 positions. The figure has more than doubled in the past three years.
Federal Education Minister Jason Clare said finding enough early childhood educators to meet demand was a big challenge. “There is such long-standing evidence that shows there is a qualitative difference in how a university-qualified early childhood educator interacts with children,” she said.“It’s a tragedy, really, that we can’t find the qualified early childhood educators to fill that growing gap,” she said. “The child misses out, the family misses out, and the community misses out in the end.”
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Desperately short of qualified staff, childcare centres ask to bend the rulesMore childcare centres are operating without enough qualified early childhood teachers because of a worsening staff shortage that could undermine the federal government’s pledge to make childcare more affordable. | adamlcarey
Read more »
Collingwood to 'speak up' to AFL over treatment of Jack Ginnivan as high tackle debate ragesCollingwood president Jeff Browne says the club will ask the AFL for answers about the treatment of young forward Jack Ginnivan, as rule changes muddy the waters around the high tackle rule.
Read more »
Melbourne Uni in mask push, La Trobe extends vax rule as students returnDespite the surge in COVID infections and Victoria’s acting chief health officer urging a return to remote learning, university staff and students are back on campus this semester.
Read more »
Chess robot grabs and breaks finger of seven-year-old opponentMoscow incident occurred because child ‘violated’ safety rules by taking turn too quickly, says official
Read more »
Aged care sector warns ADF assistance not enough to address ‘stark’ staff shortagesUnions and providers welcome one-month extension of workforce support but say tens of thousands of aged care workers unavailable
Read more »
ASX higher at open despite losses on Wall Street; EML plunges 14pc while Flight Centre risesAustralian shares have started the day slightly higher despite a gauge of global stocks falling on Friday to end the trading week on a down note after five straight sessions of gains.
Read more »