Productivity CommissionInquiry into Childcare and Early Childhood Learning

Comments from people who both use and work in education and care services

Included are only those comments received by 5 September 2014, for which the submitted gave their approval for use of their comment by the Commission. Some comments have been edited to remove information which the Commission considered could enable identification of the submitter.

1. Very curious to see how a pay raise to child care workers(fair work commission application) will make child care more affordable, will the government pay for the raise?, or centres will be stopped from raising fees?

2. what about defence families and child care for them on bases

3. The research highlights the value of children participating in a high quality Kindy program before attending Prep. From personal experience I have seen how much easier the transition to school is post a high quality Kindy program. However cost is a significant barrier. As a single income family we receive some support towards Kindy fees. At the end of the year however we are still out of pocket approximately $2300 (this will be greater in 2014). That is a significant financial burden and definitely a barrier for many families. (To add context to this story the Kindy program my children attend is at our local mainstream C and K service). Surely a universal service that has so many proven benefits for children should be financially accessible to all...

4. I am currently undertaking a qualification in ECT and have a daughter in long day car and kindergarten. Realising there is (will be) a shortage in ECT I put a great deal of thought into my career change. I believe that the early years are critical to a child's development and have great influence on a child's learning trajectory. I made the change to bring a positive influence on children's learning and development. I have worked extremely hard in the Masters course and have six months until qualified. I am disappointed that someone with only a partial qualification can be considered my equivalent. It is disrespectful to fully qualified ECTs and especially the children who deserve the best education and care. The change in qualification requirements has not suddenly been made. Perhaps if the private sector adequately paid and recognised the importance of ECTs there would not be this shortage. The interim measures are just that - interim. Anything else is a trade off in our children's future's.

5. I believe the first five years is the most important of a child's life. Children spend a large proportion of their lives in formalised care settings. People who work in these settings need to understand brain development and children's development so they can offer these children the best start to life. It is not okay to have underqualifed people & babysitting; anybody can do that from home. Early childhood services are so much more then babysitting. Children and families deserve the best and it should be delivered by knowledgeable trained people.

6. I strongly stand by the National Quality framework and all of the standards. I believe that we should be ensuring that we maintain high levels of child to adult ratios. I also feel that the EYLF has began to raise the level of professionalism in ECEC.

I believe in the use of community not for profit services and have found in my experience as

an educator and a parent that these services are the most affordable and yet also maintain the highest quality.

I also believe that we need to ensure the training being received is of a higher quality as currently a large portion of our industry is under skilled due to badly operated training organisations who deliver the diploma of children's services online and over short periods of time.

All studying ECE MUST be required to do practical placements in services.

I would urge the government to push forward with the NQF rather than take any steps backward.

7. It is hard being a parent it is expensive having children in daycare ,but as a business or employee at a daycare centre ,it just isn't enough being paid 19 dollars an hour, the government helps as well. I don't know really what to suggest, maybe children bringing own ,food ,sunscreen, nappies ,drinks what allow the costs to go down, the government could offer assistance for a solar electricity and water tanks for centres.

8. What a shambolic state our industry has found itself in. Perhaps more than any other, private operators in the long-day sector have suffered immeasurably throughout the period commencing 24th November 2007 until now. Our industry has been high-jacked by greedy unions, mis-informed academic pin-heads, and dim politicians who would have no-hope of running a school fete cake stall, let alone a national economy. The results from this perfect storm speak for themselves – a total screw up of epic proportions. At the same time our largest industry player, who although far from being perfect - at least gave private industry participants a voice, has fallen from grace only for their prime assets to be broken up and the best 640 centres virtually gifted to the social welfare brigade which will without a doubt end up replicating the Australian Broadcasting Commission funding model.

Over the past 6 years or so politicians have bent over backwards to take customers away from us, promising to fund hundreds of new government facilities on school grounds, introducing the prep year into Queensland schools, and by their actions making the top private schools follow suit. The “Pre-prep” classes would later be the next step for those schools.

Unions also weighed in…..never mind that wages in the sector were already spiralling out of control under the ‘Fair Work Act’ arrangements already put in place…..they sent their stooges to storm the lunchroom of our premises and whip staff into a frenzy that the only way they could do better on the wages front was to join the union and press their employers to sign up for the union-designed EBA’s etc. Just imagine what that did for harmony among our 30 employees. Can you believe this nonsense really happens in modern Australia? We were legally powerless to stop this arrogant and un-australian behaviour. It’s no wonder manufacturers such as General Motors can’t run away fast enough from employing people in this country….and who could blame them ? We’ve just got something terribly skewiff in this country. Don’t even start me on things like payroll tax.

Hmmm…..as usual though, as furious as the politicians and unions went about ‘fixing’ the crisis……..but wait, they themselves actually WERE the crisis…….two key stakeholders were never consulted. These were (i) private industry participants such as us, and (ii) users of our service….ie Parents.

If Kevin and Julia really were there to help, they could have done a lot worse than listen to what these groups had to say. You see we actually operate in a market place – if our service

stinks the parents tend to vote with their feet and go somewhere they perceive does it better. Only they are not doing that…..they are just choosing to stay away from all day care centres more than they might like to ‘cause its just too bloody dear for them. End of story. Quality or a perceived lack there-of just doesn’t come into it.

The changing of the ratios is just another disastrous reform. If it is needed at all then these should only affect new services and never apply to existing services. That’s just common-sense to everyone except government policymakers who have never had to mortgage their homes and endanger their family’s financial future by investing in a business that attempts to contribute to the national economy as well as perform a service generally appreciated by working families.

The forced imposition of university-qualified preschool teachers into a day-care environment is yet another breathtakingly ridiculous decision. In a private market place with government imposed regulation again this is beyond the limits of affordability for parents at a privately-run centre. The solution is to either have an (entirely appropriate) far more easily-obtained qualification attached to a normal day-care worker so she can be tagged ‘the daycare teacher’ OR have the government foot the entire wages bill for fully qualified teachers as part of the existing education system, and simply “bond” them somehow to private daycare facilities. No other options will work……what we are seeing under the present regime is a bit like a failed organ transplant…… the teachers making themselves available to daycare centres are often ‘below par’ compared to the ones teaching at regular schools, and even if they are good at their job they are simply unaffordable under the day-care pricing structures.

I’d like now to offer a couple of pro-active suggestions to the way in which parent fees are subsidised by the federal government in terms of those payments being received by our business :

1) Have only one ‘subsidy’ that we have to deal with and MAKE IT SIMPLE!…..rather than multiple benefits that are extremely complicated for both employees of our company and parents who are our customers. We are dealing with constantly changing government-determined CCB percentages, rebate entitlements and other social engineering schemes such as JET, AMEP, child innoculations etc. My view is that we (the business operator) should tap into only ONE source of subsidy for each customer, which keeps it simple for us. Think of this like a ‘frequent flyers’ program under another name……we don’t want to know or care how a customer accumulates the benefit points (that should be confidential between the customer and the government anyway) however we are just the business where the customer gets to ‘cash in’ those points. That way all the mindless carry-on that goes on with all the various government programs can be handled just between the parent and the government and we have nothing to do with that awful cocktail. We’re over it.

2) One of the big issues coming up for the Abbott government is the way in which it is going to fund its Paid Parental Leave scheme. Again we have a government (Liberal this time) choosing to impose its view of the world upon taxpayers without first consulting the main industry that will be directly affected by such a broad-brush approach…..ie daycare centres that currently take care of babies and infants, enabling valued female employees to regain their place at work at the most convenient time. To me the broad thrust of this entire scheme is toxic to say the least.

However, assuming this scheme is going to get up in one way shape or form, we MUST at the same time have an option where the employer and the mother concerned can mutually elect that she can return to work much earlier than 26 weeks and package a major part of that

$50,000 or $75,000 cap into FBT-FREE childcare payments. It’s a no-brainer! Companies would much rather foot the bill for childcare as an overhead for their star employees, particularly if they weren’t lumbered with an unjust FBT tax bill that relates to their employees personal situation, than pay top dollar (via a 2% levy) NOT to have the benefit of those same employees. Is that not obvious to politicians? If not it should be!

Having childcare provided by an approved child care provider absolutely needs to be exempt from Fringe Benefits Tax in any case. If we want governments to really be family-friendly in a way that actually works, without the need to creation even one bloated public service job – they need go no further than implement this change immediately.

Cut the nanny-state ‘solution’ and let market forces play their part in giving talented women the work / life balance the government thinks they need.

I could go on…..but alert readers will have picked up from the tone of my comments that the biggest challenges faced by private industry participants mainly stem from ludicrous and ill-conceived government policies brought about over the last 6 years. If we could immediately dump everything single change the last government rushed in, then have a calm sit around a table with the new lot to rationally figure out what needs to be done whilst at all times showing polite regard to the sustainable mental welfare of people heavily invested in the industry, then this would be seen by me as a massive, positive step.

At the very least governments must heed the wisdom and input of industry leaders such as Gwynn Bridge in reshaping the childcare industry into a far better direction than where we are heading now, otherwise we might as well get used to thinking that we won’t have an industry worth being in for very much longer. We will go the way of the car-making industry in double-quick time. Unchecked rapid wage escalation in a labour-intensive service industry has a proven history of taken business down in this once-great country.

9. Our family have found it difficult to access affordable child care services that cover our specific needs. My husband and I are both teachers: my husband is starting out so he accepts contract and relief work while he awaits a permanent position; I have a permanent full-time position but am striving to maintain time at home with my young children as well as needing to work 1-2 days per week in order to cope financially, thus I have been accepting contract and relief work also. Our difficulty is that child care positions are regular days per week and must be paid for whether you've accessed that day or not. Particularly on relief work, we're not sure if we're going to receive a phone call to work that day or not but we have to pay the full amount to maintain that position for the days that we do get a call. It can be very costly, particularly in the weeks where we don't receive any relief work so dont access the service but still pay child care fees. It must be very difficult for others, such as casual workers, who must be in the same boat as well. Otherwise we're quite happy with everything. Thanks, I hope this feedback helps.

10. We currently pay $95 and don't provide anything (unless its formula or breastmilk for bubs). I sent cloth nappies for my son, and the centre was SO happy to use them instead of their disposables. Have never had a problem with cost or quality, especially as someone who works and studies within the same industry. Having seen the scope of centres in a number of cities/towns, there are a number of places I wouldn't send my child/ren, and if that was all that was available I'd rather not work.

The regulations placed upon the early childhood sector is increasing, and I believe that fees are adequately set to ensure staff receive quality working conditions, and that children receive quality care. I have worked in places with minimal funding from the private owners,

despite fees being at an above standard rate for the area, and staffing has been so minimal that programming time for staff has been less than adequate. Small things like this can have a huge impact on the centre in general.

There needs to be a complete overview of the early childhood sector to ensure that ALL children are receiving the same level of care. The increase in qualifications for staff, as well as the new ratios and the national implementation of the Early Years Learning Framework is a step in the right direction. However, this leaves centres (and FDC educators) having to pay increased staffing costs (or lose places to ensure staffing remains at the ratio levels)...which in turn leads to an increase for families in terms of their fees.

What we really need is for the Federal Government to step up to the table and provide more funding - whether in assistance with wages (oh, wait, the LABOR government had implemented that only to have it stripped by this new lot...) OR to provide more assistance in terms of the CCB and CCR. Without this, all we are simply doing it robbing Peter (the parents) to pay Paul (the staff). Surely there has to be a better way???

11. The Tender process is so difficult and convoluted that smaller quality providers do not have the resources to put in tenders and to secure OSHC programs. The tender process and the 'RENT' back cost are often prohibitive to the extent where the whole business model as a provider becomes unsustainable.

12. My two comments for consideration refer to the OSHC sector.

1) Payment of eligible Child Care Rebate (CCR): Given the difficulties Child Care Facilities face in relation outstanding accounts, I firmly believe CCR should automatically be applied to fees, ie Paid to Service;. Given the CCR component is explicitly to assist families with reducing their child care costs, providing an option to have CCR paid to family lends itself to exploitation, leaving Services chasing accounts.

2) Staff to Child Ratios: Whilst I acknowledge the importance of the current ratios in place for day care facilities, the current 1:11 requirement imposed on OSHC is unsustainable and will result in higher fees in this sector. Given primary school's work on ratios of anywhere between 1:20 - 1:30, how can it be justified that simply because the same children are now in OSHC, that you require up to three times the staff to provide care? Our centre employees qualified school teachers who are at a loss to understand why, during school terms they are responsible for up to 30 children, however during OSHC periods, they can only be trusted to care for 11. A ratio of 1:15 would be a satisfactory compromise that will ensure dramatically reduce the requirement to increase fees.

I have be involved in the child care industry for over 20 years, and in my experience, should the two above issues be addressed, this will dramatically alleviate on-going concerns faced in the OSHC industry.

13. I would like to say that the cost of childcare effects the amount of access a family can provide their child/ren with childcare. Some families can't afford it and therefore don't send the children more than one day or even at all. Childcare fees have doubled in 10 years. Service Staff subsidies were frozen over 12 yrs ago.

Children particularly 4-5years need to have at least 2 days of early education per week for their development and in preparation for school, This also ensures children with additional needs are identified and can be supported prior to school. Two days EC education for each child should be a provision provided by the government to all families at no cost to families. If the child has additional needs then they require more to help and support from specialised

services and more access to EC education.

Having a child who was diagnosed the year prior to school with additional needs, I was bitterly disappointed with the preschool who didn't inform me of their concerns, didn't feel it was their responsibility, and did not try to provide/or had access to any additional support services to my child.

14. The government is too involved in childcare which makes unnecessary paperwork and hoops to jump through. The EYLF and QIP have impractical components which take time away from the care and supervision of children which is of paramount importance.

Lower ratios do not lead to higher quality care, stop wasting money on research and reviews. These are raising the price of already over inflated childcare fees. As a child care worker half my wage goes to paying my sons daycare fees. Child care workers feel under pressure to perform for ratings instead of their client families. As an ECT I am higher paid in school rather than in a long day care setting for essentially the same job. More links with schools would improve school readiness. As a parent the EYLF outcomes are imposed upon parents through wordy documentation using language which does not reflect their day to day lives.

15. I think most things within the services are great. However. Ratios in childcare centre's for the age 2-3 yrs greatly needs reducing. At the moment it is 1:8 staff to children. At the least 1:6 is a more manageable ratio.

16. Many parents and Educators I have spoken to who are struggling with the current system and lack of flexibility were not aware of the Productivity Commission. This is unfortunate when it would be good to have the majority of families having a say about Child care in Australia.

17. I would like to see early childhood taken over by the government and money put back into services rather than millions being made in profit at the expense of tax payers.

Money needs to go back into professional development and training. Children shouldn't be 'floated' on the share market, community services needs to be just that 'community' not for profit.

I work in a centre where half of my staff with children can't even afford to use childcare! Money needs to go back into wages. Income test the child care rebate and stop funding the diploma of children's services. This money could be used in wages, training and development.

If the wages are professional more people would want a career in early childhood and education.

Start looking at Preschool hours, normally 9-3pm. How is this helping families who work? Extend the hours there to full days.

Help families by setting up early learning centres at school sites. Families will have one drop off and childcare fees will be like school fees.

If we took away the profit being made, I'm sure there would be enough to pay professional wages, ensure there is a professional development training plan and make childcare affordable for families.

More women will be able to work which would help the economy.

18. Registered Child Care services should have full CCB allocated equally as approved child care CCB rate.

19. So much needs to be reviewed. You want educators to have qualifications (but then give them less children to have in care for FDC), FDC now only has 4 children under 3 and those who are older are going to preschools. FDC educators have all put fees up to cover fall in ratio numbers and now it is unfeasible for parents. Educators want higher wage increase - but Parents are struggling to pay for fees as it is. In a moment we will see more children going to school at a younger age to cover for childcare costs so something needs to be done NOW!!!

Love the introduction of the NQF but so that it gives childcare workers a standard to work against.

20. Far too much time is spent by childcare staff on paperwork, most of which is ridiculous and absurd.

This impacts on both the quantum and quality of care that the staff can have with our children.

It also heavily impacts on the cost of childcare.

There needs to me far more workshop type real consultation with the operators and senior Directors of childcare centers. And definitely not what has happened over the last 6 years where centers are simply just told what is happening with absolutely no evidence that the feedback from childcare centers has been acted on or even seriously considered.

What has happened over the last 6 years disgusting.

The changes of the last 6 years has set in train an inevitable big increase in fees every year until it is halted or turned around.

Based on what has happened in this industry childcare centers have no confidence that this new inquiry will accomplish anything - lets hope we are all wrong.

21. I would not feel comfortable leaving my children in care unless it was of the highest quality. This means that there are good staff to child ratios, staff are well qualified and have regular development opportunities, and that the centre is well resourced.

22. I love the preschool my children attend. I just wish that I received the same rebates as someone who chose to send their child to a long day care centre. I'd also like to see better rates of pay for those who work in early childhood education. What message does it send if we underpay those who look after our precious kids?

23. I am a Family Day Care Provider and user. The flexibility of FDC is why i do the job and use it as well. Long Day Care provides so many issues with hours not matching the reality of the working world. As a FDC provider i am lucky to be able to provide this after hours care. I think we need to be supported more from every facet to improve the extended hours service we can provide.

24. Frankly, I am appalled at the Government for continuing to ignore the inequality in the way in which early childhood professionals are paid in relation to other teachers in our society. It is clear this is based in an outdated notion of early childhood learning being & women's work; or babysitting.

Early childhood teachers and their assistants are well qualified and have had to continue to upgrade their skills but remuneration has not been forthcoming. Many experienced and dedicated people are leaving the industry because they can earn more working in an office than

teaching the next generation.

Enough is enough!

25. Child teacher ratios are crucial to quality care and education, and the Reform Agenda should be implemented as quickly as possible. Every dollar invested in the early years has been proven to make a difference to later years. Today's children and parents live in a complex world and knowledgeable highly trained workers are required to navigate development and learning. Early childhood education is not only about the children, but is an important tool for developing parenting skills. Our children are this countries future and their needs should not be compromised by financial impositions.

26. Being both a director of a long day child care centre and a parent of 2 children I find it incredible hard to survive on the wages I earn for the responsibility of 20 staff members and 135 children lives I am in charge of each day. I also find it incredible hard to pay my children's fees as I hand my wage back to the owner and take some from my husband wage to pay our Childcare fees. Having been in the industry for 15 years I do not do my job for the pay but for the love of what I do each day. I do my job as there is not better reward then Children 10 years later still remembering you as I made a difference in their life. There is no better reward than the hugs you get each day and I know that what I do i am good at.

The government seriously needs to look at the pay conditions within the sector without dividing the sector and ensuring everyone within the sector is treated equally. (Quality fund was an insult to everyone working in child care industry) Parents can not afford to take up the slack of fee increases to cover the possibility of a pay increase.

The government needs to come up with a solutions using the intelligence of the Australian people who reside in our country (everyday people) to improve Childcare within Australia. Looking overseas and at other countries does not put our best interest at heart. It is simply cheating off the person next to us for an answer instead of listening to what the sector, parents and public want. I have been to so many meetings over the past few years regarding all the changes in child care and nobody listens to the ground roots of all the problems. Meetings are held so we feel we have had our say and then nothing is achieved or comes from what has been discussed. The government needs to start from the very bottom and listen and work their way up. We are fed up of politicians who have never worked a day in their life on the floor of a child care centre making decisions for us that cause a huge ripple effect on how we do our jobs. This was and is still being felt everyday with the national quality framework and national regulations. Change is always good but change that has resulted in staff leaving the industry after being in it for so many years. It is unfortunate as I know personally that finding good quality staff is impossible. The government is trying to do the right thing by acknowledging a shortage in the sector but by basically handing out free certificate 3 and diplomas in children's services has lead to inadequate companies rushing through people who do not belong in the industry or who not helping improve the industry.

I love Childcare and the job I do but I do not like the way the sector is heading. The government needs to step up to the plate and start realising that this is an very much needed industry that is part of the back bone of Australia. Without Childcare the country could and would fall. Wasting billions of dollars on trying to keep car companies afloat makes me want to scream. The government needs to invest in its future, not the past or what may be possibly current. Australians need child care and the child care sector needs a government that recognises the hard work, the stress and the love that child care workers place into their jobs

each day.

27. I have been working as a kindergarten teacher for fourteen years and have my own children. We have groups of 27 (28 with early start children) and each year the number of children in our service with additional needs is getting greater. In most instances these children do not attract additional funding for kindergarten support and the challenge for us to provide a quality educational program for all children is becoming greater. With this in mind, the change in child: staff ratio in 2016 and the qualification requirements need to be implemented as planned so that our services can continue to provide a kindergarten program that is of a high standard and is the beginning of a lifelong love of learning. These promises and increased funding to early childhood services are essential to maintain a high standard of education for our young children.

28. In this day and age it can not be said enough that we have to connect children to nature. If we are to depend on the future generations to deal with some of the very serious environmental problems then quality time in natural environments is necessary so that an appreciation of the beauty and fragile systems that exist can be addressed.

New and dynamic research around early childhood and early primary is finding that children are able to grasp sustainability concepts at a young age.

Free play and agency is also important so that children develop a sense of themselves as is an element of risk and challenge

29. Quality early childhood education will cost but the payoff long term to society covers the initial expense. Governments must support quality improvements it can be made affordable. Profit making centres are the only ones who oppose elements of the NQF

30. The questions are ridiculous eg: how to respond to the question that asks whether I have trouble finding suitable care and I'm asked to choose between option 1: lack of services in my area or 2. Not available at the times I need. How about you add an option for 3. Services are available and at times that suit me but the quality is so appalling I couldn't bear to see my child or anyone else's child there?

When oh when will you start looking at quality for our children and stop pandering to the hip pockets of business owners? Dress it up any way you like- that's the perception amongst everyone I know.

31. I think daycare should be cheaper and more available Teachers should be qualified and paid as Teachers not babysitters.

there should be free preschool my son missed out and has had to work lunch times at school to catch up.

20 hours free daycare to all 3 and 4 year olds, it will help our children.

32. The ratio cuts in childcare (particularly Family Day Care) have put a big dent in this nations child care industry. Working mums have had to cut days and hours at work because there are no positions for children.

The Govt have spoken about affordability... I as an early childhood educator have had to reluctantly increase my fees to substantiate the loss of income caused by the ratio cut of 5 to 4

children per day. How are working mums supposed to go back to work when childcare is crumbling. Family Day Care Educators especially need the government to give them a break. Let us be educators and help our local communities, keep the 5 ratio. Cutting the ratios only means increase in non-working parents.

Looking forward to the productivity commission inquiry in Oct.

33. It would be great to see the Child care benefit %increased for the $40 -$90 000 income threshold. I have had to reduce my children's long day care attendance and my teaching job at at a long day care in Bathurst because the cost was just too great and I was only taking home a income that is smaller then a family assistance payment. I love my job as a educator and would love to work full time so I don't need government payments, but this set up that is currant, it just does not work. It is denying my 4 yr old and my 2yr old excellent educational programs at there centre and my career is now halted until they start primary school. It needs to be more affordable. I would also love to see more flexibility in EC services hours for the shift working families. The EYQF WAS floored the moment it was introduced. I do agree that some of the $ 300 million should be put towards professional development and all educators should be awarded at least $3/hr increase. It would make such a difference to all educators regardless of there job description. Educators are severely underpaid and it is a real shame that we are loosing exceptional educators as they cannot live off this poor pay rates. I could continue that that are my main concerns. Let's hope something great comes out if this enquiry.

34. As an early childhood teacher and parent I have seen both sides of the sector. I have chosen not to put my child in long day care because of concerns about the quality of services, staff qualifications, ratios, cost and lack of flexibility. I believe in the value of early childhood education for over 3's but the way the system is at the moment I would not choose group care for a child under this age. It's heartbreaking to see very young children not having their needs met because the staff are simply stretched too thin.

35. I have worked in the childcare industry for past 20-21yrs been an educator and worked with age groups from babies to Preschool. I am currently in Administration.

I have heard that the funding was a push for the unions to get more applicants etc. this may or may not be true but this is beside the point. I have never really been a great supporter of the unions, however I do know our teachers work very hard for a very low wage. It is sad to see many struggle and live on fortnight to fortnight pay days. If it wasn’t for my spouse’s wages I would never be able to survive alone on mine. How they do it I have no idea.

Our educators and teachers here at Playhouse Childcare Centre do a great job in supporting families of students and university staff. They are more than mere teachers, they’re nurses counsellors cleaners advisers, the support they give our families is immeasurable. We are not for profit Centre struggling to make ends meet, so cannot pay our teachers more and there’s a limit to how much more parents can pay towards their children’s fees.

I am amazed how money is wasted on useless projects, millions down the drain! Our education system needs financial help even as young as 0-5 yr olds. Our country’s future and wellbeing depends on the young people coming through the education system now.

Thank you

36. My children currently attend one of few early childhood schools in the ACT. my children are 2 and 4 yrs old. I feel lucky that they have the opportunity to be educated from 0-5yrs in a long

day care centre that is part of a public school which they will go onto attend until the end of year 2, all the while being educated by early childhood trained educators. Now my daughter is old enough, she will attend preschool 2-3 days per week in a classroom close to her long day care classroom and on preschool days, attend the before and after school age care service located with the school grounds. My children will have the opportunity to see each other in the playground at different times as they grow, to transition gently to rooms for older age groups when the time comes and to know all the educators who work within the school community with children from 0-7/8yrs. I am very excited that my children will be educated by early childhood trained professionals until they leave at the end of year 2, something which a lot of other children who attend school elsewhere will not benefit from - as an early childhood professional myself I appreciate and value this opportunity for my children and encourage the government to spend funds on other public schools so that early childhood services can be added for 0-5 yr olds, and that more of an emphasis is put on early childhood trained teachers in classrooms with children in the early primary years - to enhance learning outcomes for young children. Please look closer at increasing the number of services modelled on early childhood schools.

37. It's unsustainable as it is, it's getting to expensive, I was actually shocked that at a recent meeting at my children's daycare when they increased fees, they actually said they are still cheaper then others so they have room to move. Needless to say I was not impressed. The ratios are also to low, I don't think my children would suffer if there was an extra five children in a centre, and I also feel that family day care would not if up to five or six children were allowed. I think it would bring costs down, get children more ready for when they start school and they are in a large environment.

38. I have been working in childcare for about 10 years now and have had my son at the centre I work at for a couple of years. I have quite a lot to do with the waitlist at a large centre in the Gungahlin region. It is so upsetting we have many families who desperately need childcare and can not get a place. Some families have their children living in another country with family members as they can not access childcare here, or they are worried they will have to send their children overseas to

Live with family if they can not get a place. Some are defence families who can not get places as they do not receive much notice that they will move and some have been on our waitlist for over a year and still have no place.

At our centre the quality of care is great but I have worked at other centre's where the quality is lacking. Actually most centres I have worked at in the ACT are very understaffed and average quality. The accreditation system seems to be more based on the assessors personal opinion and a snippet of what they might see in 2 days. Some centres I have worked at have been awarded high quality when they clearly were not. There needs to be a system that is more thorough and that does not make centre's pay to receive high quality ratings. That seems corrupt.

Ideally I believe that schooling needs to be extended to an earlier age and that will hopefully raise the standards of early childhood education as the community will view it more as education instead of baby sitting and this will attract qualified staff and encourage people to remain in the industry. Childcare also needs to be more affordable, it is very difficult to live for the few months a year I have to pay $950 in fees a fortnight!

Thanks for the opportunity to air my concerns

39. I find a large number of families who have older children in school as well as kids in daycare. This means parents generally take time off (most couples staggering their leave) over school holidays or organise other at home care.

With the limit of 42 days of absences for child care funding this can end up being costly to families as they may have passed their limit so parents either miss out on the much needed financial assistance or the children are made to go to care, missing out on important time with their families, especially if the 42 days were used up through illnesses. This seems wrong.

40. I would suggest the way to increase workforce participation would be to improve infection control procedures in childcare throughout Australia. In many centres they are a complete joke which results in parents losing many sick days, not to mention the pain and suffering experienced by the children.

41. I am the president of our local parent run community kinder. I have been impressed with the process of improving the quality of early learning education as part of the national quality framework. We received a lot of valuable support from the Stonington council to help us make sense of the new regulations and standards. Whilst very time consuming for staff and volunteer parents on the committee, it provides a comprehensive yet flexible framework for all aspects of children's early learning experiences.

It seems unnecessary to review such a well thought out and only recently implemented quality standard at this stage. The only area that perhaps needs more attention in relation to the national quality framework are aspects of implementation. The preparation for the assessment placed an unsustainable time burden on staff and the volunteers running the kinder at the time but it is hoped that the quality improvement plan will make this easier to stay on top off of the numerous standards as everyone becomes more familiar with it.

The process of transition to the new standards is also a little confusing given that there is variations between each state. There may also be room to improve the process of staff being recognised as certified supervisors.

The national quality standard was an important improvement for or the sector - please only simply processes rather than do complete overhaul which will not only be wasteful but create further confusion.

42. I would like to address the financial interventions the Federal Government makes to artificially skew the choices that women have regarding child-care. In particular I would like to comment upon the proposed Paid Parental Leave Scheme in relation to the inquiry’s investigation into parents’ childcare choice.

It is my view that this scheme will limit effective parental choice for childcare. This is because it gives such a large incentive for mothers to remain in the paid workforce whilst having children that it artificially removes the option some mothers would otherwise take to look after their own children full-time.

The government must ask itself that if a normal salary isn’t enough to compensate women for giving up the care of their children, and this must be topped up by huge payments raised from taxation, then what benefit are we really getting?

I encourage the committee to recommend that the Paid Parental Leave scheme not be introduced.

43. I am concerned with the National Law and some of it's unrealistic requirements. For example we are expected to find lunch relief cover for staff to ensure ratios are maintained at all times. It is simply not possible to find qualified relief for a 2-3 hr period each day to cover this . I would like this regulation to be changed . The NQF and EYLF has created a lot more admin and increased qualifications of all staff thus increasing costs at our centre . I have owned and operated my centre for 12 years now and running this business is now more difficult than ever before due to compliance with the national law and over emphasis on obtaining a rating from ACEQA .

44. I am a childcare assistant in a Northern Suburbs Childcare Centre, Adelaide South Australia. I work in toddler room fulltime. I am currently studying my Diploma in Children’s Services. I am writing for someone to please please help the Educators who have no voice, with the stress they are under.

By passing a law this year not in 2 years where all young children in a childcare centre must have a 1-5 ratio or less. Educator - to child.

Why is it that other states have different child care ratios to South Australia?.

I am only speaking from my experience as to the urgency of the government changing the educator to child ratio in the toddler room this year.

I have since been told the Abbot government is looking to stop any changes? And up the ratios to 11 toddlers to ONE educator!

Do you really think that is a safe number for young children? Babies: 2 year olds to 3 & ½ years.

I am worried for the Children’s safety and the Educator’s safety.

I am sure the parents do not realise how unsupervised their children really are.

I am not allowed to discuss my fears with the parents as we are asked to appear calm and professional and like any business expected to keep the company’s issues to ourselves.

I am told we will not be getting any changes in the ratios until 2016 and then it will only go down to 1 educator to 7 children!

Although now it is unclear and I think it’s going back up 1 to 11 toddlers ??? Which is it????

Can somebody help me and could someone come unannounced to a northern childcare centre and spend the day to see what I’m talking about Wed or the end of week and mornings from 830am to about 12pm the children are most active and especially when it’s too hot/cold too go outside that’s when the real picture is shown because the children go mad inside.

Watch how one educator struggles to meet the demands of 10 children who are still only babies, it’s sad to watch and those children are NOT getting high quality care because educators have to cut corners to meet all the demands of their centre and the children.

This is a fact if you honestly read the N.Q.S and believe that 1 educator can perform all of their requirements on their own you are mad in the head!

We currently work with a ratio of 1 Educator to 10 toddlers

The centres won’t help the toddler educators by offering them say 2 days a week in toddler room then 3 days a week in pre kindy for example this I think would be a better way to handle ONE persons stress levels.

But the directors have got it in their heads that changing Educators around is bad for the Children I’m sorry but one stressed Educator is bad for the Children

An Educator who is overworked and underpaid .

Toddler Room is the hardest room It should be a shared room period !

Educators are too scared to say anything because of mortgages, bills and are scared of dismissal.

Does this help the children? Does this provide high quality care?

What about the long-term effects on the child’s emotional health and future development?

Again Imagine having 20, 2 - 3 ½ year olds in a room or outside in the playground with only 2 educators to look after them.

Imagine it please.

Imagine an accident or two?, a crying child or two ?

What happens to the other children? Who’s looking after them? NO-ONE!!

Toddlers are very high needs children

Again ...What happens if a few children gets hurt or needs nappy change?

This means there is only 1 educator left in the room having to watch 19 toddlers because that is the realities it may not seem like a long time to attend to the injured toddler but these things can’t be rushed if a child is crying and injured.

And no there isn’t other staff to help because these situations happen all the time every day.

Do you really think if one child’s sick that one Educator can stay and comfort that child there’s still 19 other children with high demands? Who’s looking after them? NO-ONE!!

Can you imagine what the other 19 toddlers are doing?

Can you imagine the Educator who is responsible for the safety of all of these children?

The other toddlers will be running around, pushing children over, biting, poking themselves in the eye with something ,laughing and mucking around, taking their nappies off or weeing on floors taking their shoes off, these are just a few of the things toddler can do in the space of 5 minutes.

When a child needs their nappy changed or needs toilet training our room we have 20 toddlers that mean that 1 Educator is out the room and the other is supervising 19 toddlers on their own.

How can activities be properly setup?

How can a toddler get proper attention?

Give me some ideas on activities or experiences that 1 educator can do with 10 toddlers by themselves each day every week?

Now let’s talk actual learning what possible activities can be achieved with 1 educator to ten toddlers?

Large group times are usually short events that have a specific purpose not all day events.

Large planned group discussions do not work if children are not engaged or actively involved.

Tell me the educator can organise the activity, setup, and properly watch the children and

participate with the children and this is remember with children under 4years old their attention span is not long.

The educator can’t leave the room at any time to get other play equipment should the need arise because the children can’t be left alone either.

The same applies when outside how do we take 1 or 2 toddlers to the toilet when there is only 1 educator?

Can you see what I’m saying there is no way that procedures are being carried out across the centres with this crazy ratio system?

Do you really believe that 1 Educator can cope with these numbers safely?

Why it is that South Australia is the only state that has the highest ratios?

And no we don’t get extra help there’s only enough staff for each room and its only until something very dangerous happens that we do get extra help and that is only till the danger is gone then its back on your own, unless it’s a absolute emergency but most of the time we are left to an exhausting 8 hour struggle to keep these children safe.

And the truth is the toddler educator who says they are coping with a ratio of 1-10 is Not getting those children’s needs met. And is in denial that is a fact.

It’s all about how the centre appears to run in front of the parents and head office Not how they actually are run.Abd tell me this why do the centres add staff when they know head office is coming?

Is this an admission that there aren’t enough educators to create a safe room for the heads to come and look around?

It’s a joke!!

And the NQS have assessments at our centres have got the centres that their looking at saying that their actively working on fixing the problems but really that is another cop-out to ignoring what is really going on.

FIX THE PROBLEM NOW.

If you look in any picture with happy children any book involving children’s experiences there never is pictures of 20 toddlers all engaging it is about 6 at most. And there are never 2 educators for 20 babies!!

Because that’s what these children are still babies!!

Think of activities, experiences, inside and outside activities that 20 toddlers can do with the help of 2 educators as long as there is no situations arising and 1 educator leaves the room which happens all day long.

Who are the people deciding these ratios?

The true fact is that they mostly are crying all day because their needs cannot be met any sane and rational person can understand this it is not right.

In big numbers this age group are not developmentally ready for this high volume of activity.

Their day starts at 630 and ends at 630 for a lot of toddlers a long time to be put in this environment and be expected to cope.

What happens when their sick what can 2 educators do with this problem if the parent can’t

pick them up straight away?

Do you really think an educator can sit with them while 19 toddlers are running around and only 1 other educator to help?

Every toddler room in South Australia is like this if they are abiding by the laws 1 to 10 ratio.

Again it should be printed all over the news parents should be made aware

I have been told I am not allowed to say how I feel to the parents.

I need someone to help me tell them so the toddlers can have a better quality of life in their education.

The national quality standards are a joke and they should be ashamed of themselves read what they say about high quality care that is not happening in South Australia it is a lie!

I have talked with many people about this and have asked them tell me what I’m saying isn’t making sense!!

WE get taught about Mandatory Reporting but this is the same!!!

It’s false the childcare centre step up the routines when there’s parents around for orientations

I have to stay confidential as I can’t lose my job as a toddler educator

No-one is listening please help us get change demanding a 1-5 ratio immediately not in 2 years.

45. I believe an urgent change in the child care ratios in the toddler rooms across all the adelaide childcare centres children are being cared for by 1 educator to 10 toddlers this is ridiculous there is no way that you can logically state that this is High Quality Care.

The children cannot wait 2 years for change this is ridiculous why are these children not allowed to be safe and provided high quality care.

46. I am an educator within FDC, have been for 39 years, I am very concerned that in NSW, we have to go from caring for 5 children to 4 in 2014, my question is where are all those children are going to end up who will be unable to get Quality care. Especially the parents who are going back to work, from maternity leave, and were unaware of the changes, and lack of care. We need to make childcare a Priotory in this country, we do not want to go backwards, and have parents looking at less quality care for their children, because we don't have enough places. I would like to see a freeze on the change until we look at the situation and quality, whilst the productivity commission is doing its job

47. After working in early childhood for 12 years I have worked with dedicated and passionate workers to provide families with high quality care. These precious children are our future, we need to nurture & educate them always. This won't continue to happen if there is change. Would you ever employ a untrained electrician or builder? Definitely not! Current Ratios & qualifications are essential, no room for change. As a parent at a childcare centre I expect and will only except high quality care. How would Australia operate for a day if childcare workers stop work for a day??? The country would be at a stand still, the economy wouldn't handle it.......

48. I am happy with the child care rebate and subsidy when using child care centres.

In saying that I have been a registered carer for 6 months now and I am not happy with the

rebate that is given to the parents, it should be as good as the centres, as it is a lot of out of pocket expense for them.

49. The early childhood industry has been needing a desperate overhaul for many years. Standards need to be raised significantly to guarantee positive outcomes for every single child.

Research shows the importance of a developmental focus in early childhood, it's appalling that such an affluent country such as Australia doesn't devote appropriate resources to such a critical developmental opportunity.

Parent's rely on early childhood services in order to contribute to the economy and support their family. Early childhood services are here to stay for the long haul, it makes sense to invest in the future of our country.

The Australian government need to invest in a structure that supports the raising of standards in early childhood, that is not affected by political changes and that ensures without a doubt, a positive outcome for children's development in the early years.

The current 'norm' of quality within the industry is a complete failure, an injustice to every child who attends a service with inadequate resources, inadequately qualified, trained and paid educators.

An investment in early childhood is an investment in Australia's future.

Improving early childhood will allow more parents to work, improve each child's preparedness for primary school and create positive outcomes that last a lifetime.

The benefits of such an investment out way the cost significantly.

Investing in early childhood just makes sense.

50. I have two children in Before and after school care, and currently direct an early childhood education service. I am concerned the cost of care has to rise due to the increase of the quality care that is required and the education that the educators are required to have and there is no further support for working families to cover these costs and no further government support to the education services and their educators. I know that in private children services, approved providers are beginning to struggle to cover the costs of day to day running of their services and the cost it has to provide the required ratios and qualifications that their educators need. Support to services in training their educators and providing some support in the area of supplementing the educators pay as they are required to increase their education and they are not rewarded for this and often can get a better income at Mcdonalds, this will lead to educators not following through and begin to leave to fine higher paying jobs which will put the industry in distraites. It is vital to ensure that support for our early children's services are supported for our future generations.

51. Since moving to Queensland we have been a one income family. With two children under five it was not feasible to have both in care and for us both to work as what we would have had to earn to make it worthwhile was almost more than we could have and it was therefor not a feasible option. Therefor one child went to care for a ‘Kindy’; session for intereaction with other children and the other stayed home.

When my daughter started school then we could send the second child to care but also only to a ‘Kindy’; session and only once a week. As of next year both children will be at school and it is only now we are able to have me look at studying in order to upskill and return to work after 5

years away raising children.

52. There are currently many grandparents who care for children as an alternative to formal childcare - I think a rebate should apply so that grandparents can be acknowledged financially for the support they provide to working families.

it is beneficial for many children to have a mix of care - grandparents encourage respect for the elderly and also allow children to see complex family relationships and interactions. childcare encourages socialization.

Currently my son is looked after by my mother who lives with us and he also goes to long day care - I would love for my mother to be able to look after him more often and for her to receive financial compensation so she doesn't have to work too.

but I also like the benefits of long day care.

My daycare is very affordable especially with the rebate but I know that many centers charge extraordinary amounts of money as they are businesses - maybe they could be subsidized by the government so that their fees aren't as exorbitant.

53. As a Mum and an EC Teacher I understand the pressures of families. However, with EC Educators my children were able to develop within and exceeding expectations and, issues were identified at an early age and dealt with. Without EC Educators my child would have slipped through the cracks. EC Educators are more than babysitters and need to be treated as such. We do more than look after children we shape them into the people they will become and Australia Citizens we can be proud of. Overheads are the main factor for services and paying the staff the wages they deserve. As a fee payer the help received from the Government was invaluable but maybe adopting the philosophy of Finland where EC Educators and childcare is essential and supporting families through more funding could be one way to go. I dont think supplementing nannies or stay at home parents will help the children who, at the end of the day, are the ones we should be considering.

54. I'm extremely concerned that relaxing the requirements under the NQF will mean an even further decline in the quality of care currently being offered. At best the current level of care in most early childhood education services is mediocre.

I already have concerns about the care my child receives while he is at a long day care centre. I would love to stay at home with him but unfortunately due to financial reasons I am forced to work, which means placing him at risk of substandard care. This MUST change for all children.

55. As an Early Childhood educator with 3 young children I find it increasingly difficult to afford child care, and before and after school care. I choose to continue to work because I know that if I leave the industry for even a couple of years I will feel 'out of the loop' and i feel i will fall behind with my current knowledge, with all the new recommendations and regulations that change constantly. After paying my child care fees I am only left with $80 per fortnight. Who else would do this in another industry? I continue to do it for the love of my job, and I feel my children benefit from being in care.

56. Both as a carer and a parent I support the need for additional supports for families working outside normal working hours and also families with special needs. Quite often I am approached as a carer to work for clients who shift work and the partners work away the only

care available is private care .In home care criteria and allocated available hrs is quite limited and so care becomes unaffordable. As a parent who used to shift work I had to rely on family and friends to fill the gaps which at times was unreliable or a burden but there were no other options available to me. I currently care for a child with a medical condition who cannot attend regular care at this time. My fees are more than double childcare fees without any rebate, while this disadvantages the family the flexibility and special care their child receives has outwayed the cost. Why should families who are already burdened with a sick child also be burdened by the extra cost. Both parents are doctors and cannot put their careers on hold indefinitely to care for a sick child, her sibling and pay for treatments the child needs. While you might think why are my fees double in reality I am paid an hourly rate less than a childcare worker in a centre. I am a mother of 6,50 years old and now currently studying so I can continue to work within the legislation. I pay my own tax, super and insurance .I have the same or more responsibilities as a worker in a centre with less pay and my family pays more to have me here because they have no choice. I work with this child on helping her development as her condition has delayed her walking and other milestones. Might I also add this family is also from a migrant background where English is their 2nd language and we also have cultural issues to work around especially with food.

57. As a childcare worker myself I feel nannies and babysitters should be brought into regular stream of employment like providing them with superannuation, taxed income and a fixed salary with lots of training. They also must be given recognition for their work and the government can help in this matter. Childcare workers must be paid on par with other industry workers as well because this improves the workers morale and in turn they work more efficiently. Childcare workers play an important role in the formative years of young children so their work must be recognised and given due importance.

58. I´m from Germany and new to the system here.

I found it difficult to work in centres where children are separated by age. I´m used to mixed groups, where children are between 2-6. The younger children learn from the older ones (playing together, sharing, table manners etc) and older children enjoy to ‘take responsibility’; for the younger ones, help them out etc.

Having them separated by age, especially toddler age, they can´t learn from each other and are dependent to learn from the educators.

Which can be challenging, because children copy other children and educators in centres often can´t work individually with each child.

My son had troubles to settle in, so now I´m looking for a family day care, where it´s more individual and children are in different ages.

59. i have a baby and will be looking at kindergarten/childcare in the future, but am worried because I’ve heard the waits are huge and you rarely get where you prefer to go. i work as a family day care educator and understand the waiting lists are hundreds long. speaking to local mums through playgroup, mothers group and local parks, there seems to be a 2 year waiting list for childcare in the area at least. parents are desperate because they need to go back to work. i worry that they will put their children into care that is not right for their child, just because there are no other options. we need many more family day care educators, child care centres, kindergartens and schools in the inner west. and childcare staff need to be paid much better than they are!

60. We live a 30min drive from out nearest childcare service. When I returned to work at a school only 10mins away (in the other direction) I had no option for childcare as travelling that distance was out of the question. I had a local lady who was willing to care for my children however I couldn't claim any of the money I paid her as she was; ‘just another mum’, unless she registered as an inhome day care provider and made all sorts of adjustments to her home. It just seemed so totally unfair. I believe the use of Nanny's and other care providers should be able to be claimed.

61. My son attended child care 2 days per week from 10 months - 5 years of age.

In 2010, just before his 4th birthday, he was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. The staff were fantastic in taking on board strategies, esp. regarding speech & occupational therapy. In 4 yr old kinder he was able to access an early intervention adviser, who also had occasional meetings with daycare staff.

My concern during this time was that daycare staff later reported noticing issues with my son prior to diagnosis but I don't feel they were equipped to discuss this with me. I feel we lost valuable therapy time and his strengths & challenges were addressed in the kinder setting for the most part.

I am unsure what policies/procedures exist for daycare settings to assist families in recognizing developmental issues & subsequent diagnosis/treatments. I think it important that children who have child are as their main care before school can be given the most appropriate care regarding disabilities such as ASD.

Thanks.

62. I have not had trouble finding childcare for my two children, and had several places to choose from in my area. The conflict occurred between whether sending the children to daycare so I could work was worth it, as either due to childcare costs being too high, or pay rates for child care workers being too low, it was difficult to find a balance between working so as to financially benefit the family, or stay at home full time with the kids. Child care benefits and rebates were also taken into account during this decision making.

63. To live in todays society is not easy and not very cost effective, gone are the days when the majority of mothers used to stay home and care for their children, including me. i bought a home with my husband for just us under $500,000 we had 2 children, but unfortunately both of us are todays struggling middle class Im diploma trained and work in child care and my husband is a mechanic. I went back to work when my first child was 6 months old and 12 months later i took only 4 months off before returning back to work to look after other peoples children, my wage went to childcare fees and my half of the loan while my husband paid the rest of the bills. It s tough they take money from us, but then give some back later. What’s that.

I do believe the government has done a lot for todays families but it is not consistent, they take away the baby bonus, and 1st home owners grant. I would like see a home cares allowance to support one parent to stay home for approx 3 days paid. This will eliminate child care shortage, relieve some stress of parents, but also be able to be in the work force as a part timer or casual.

Childcare centres do not need to stay open any longer as parents we need to take some responsibility of our children and our employers need to be mindful that we have a life outside work hours and our duties need to be performed within our paid work hrs unless prior arrangement has been organised. Hospitals and other employment with 24hrs shift need to look

at care for families on the premises to provide if need be. Personally I believe once you have children you need t make some sacrifices. I also think that nannies should be part of the CCB and CCR especially for families who do work alternate hrs so their children have some stability and not been taken out of their home at unusual times.

My dream was to be a stay home mum, unfortunately that is not ever going to happen my last will be starting school next year and both will need to attend after care 4 days a week. We have set shifts I start at 9.30 am which allows me to do drop offs, my husband is at after care by 5pm and prepares dinner, shower, I am home by 6pm. Very organised and structured, not necessary relaxed, home work, house work still needs to be done. Tired but we plod along, head above water for now.

64. Keep up the quality of service that current carers can provide.

65. I work for a TAFE that teachers children services (cert 3 and diploma). I also have two children who have been through services in 2 states, home based and centre based. We have found a huge gap between the services and what is taught in class vs what is delivered in care. I had to wait and wait for a spot to become available. I will never again endorse or encourage family daycare after our experiences. The cost of daycare takes most of my wage yet if I stayed at home, we'd struggle to pay the mortgage. Not that I expect the government to pay, I would just like a better service.

66. I am a Director at the centre my two children attend, one of them a nursery child. I basically come to work to pay my fees! On average I work 40+ hours, not including the work I bring home daily but get paid the standard 37.5. I love my job and after being in the industry for ten years I feel things will never change. As a 'boss' its harder and harder to find ‘good childcare workers’..

67. The 50% Child Care Rebate only covers half of the out-of-pocket expenses if a child is in care 3 days a week. As soon as the child attends care more often, then a parent starts to pay the full daily fee.

The ratios have been dropped, which means that the fees have gone up- BUT the rebates have not increased accordingly.

68. Childcare costs are rising and childcare does not receive funding all money is through fees. OSHC in 1992 I was charging $65.00 all parents received $4.80 back in 2013 we charge $140.00 parents get half or more depending on the income. If the regulations come into affect I predict fees will reach $200 per week or more for OSHC per child and vacation care in 1992 was $150.00 per week this will reach $400.00 per week per child if we keep going down the regulation path with no money support. To reach the high expectations of a diploma qualified for every 30 children would increase a cost of fees by more than $50.00 per child per week. No staff member who has a Dip qualification is going to work for 2-3 hours a day with the cost of living when they can work 7.5 hours a day and get above award wages. This means OSHC services would have to employ full time qualified staff.

Jet at $1.00 per hour isn't working for families hey only get it on days they are studying but centres charge for set day ie 3 days a week and they might only get 2 days jet.

Special needs children are not fully funded and cost OSHC services an extra $20,000 to employ

a staff member and pay them the correct entitlements.

69. • should support be extended to all types of child care? e.g. nannies providing in-home care?

Yes, I think it should.

I have had many issues with my son not receiving the appropriate level of nurturing due to the numbers. He has been bullied at the age of 2 repeatedly due to a child who obviously requires more care. If I could put my son in the same care for smaller numbers in home care or under a nanny, this would be much more suitable!

• Other factors that may be influencing your decisions about participating in work or study?

I am a single parent and the fact that I receive the same assistance that couples do seems extremely unfair. It’s tough going to work enough and provide the appropriate amount of care

70. Too much red tape-childcare has lost all the old fashioned values of caring for children- centres forced to be too sterile. We are losing all the best carers due to new legislations- they don’t want to study childcare, most do it because they love children and the paperwork involved means less and less time working directly with children. New legislation needs to be streamlined and realistic.

71. My Pre-school costs are so HIGH it needs to change, I cannot work any more days because the cost of childcare outstrips my WAGE, we need a system where childcare is more affordable, I have 2 in preschool and at $80 a day I am left with nothing, but I need to work for my and my children’s' future.

Comments from people who both use and work in education and care services

72. I strongly stand by the National Quality framework and all of the standards. I believe that we should be ensuring that we maintain high levels of child to adult ratios. I also feel that the EYLF has began to raise the level of professionalism in ECEC

I believe in the use of community not for profit services and have found in my experience as an educator and a parent that these services are the most affordable and yet also maintain the highest quality.

I also believe that we need to ensure the training being received is of a higher quality as currently a large portion of our industry is under skilled due to badly operated training organisations who deliver the diploma of children's services online and over short periods of time.

All studying ECE MUST be required to do practical placements in services.

I would urge the government to push forward with the NQF rather than take any steps backward.

Scrap the rebate for parents and put it into wages, this is the most cost effective way to keep all the changes and pay educators what they are worth, with out educators parents won't be able to work.

73. I have worked both in the Child care sector and community services sector since for the past 12 years. Both systems need a serious reform to suit and support those accessing the sector-the customers, children and parents, plus the people working in the industry!! It is both the consumer and staff who are suffering, it begins with the children who want us as their 'teachers or educators' to simply play with them, to play tag, build sand castles with them and assist them when they need help, to give them the hugs and reassurance they need. The children want our attention, for us to respond to their needs and interests, to provide a safe space, a warm and loving environment. They want to develop friendships and to have the freedom to play outside and ride a bike without this needing to have an educational purpose or outcome. Child care should go back to BASICS about CARING for the children, providing them play opportunities and time to follow their interests and extend the children s language and imagination. Let the kids be kids and have their first five years full of fun, play and learning based on the childrens interests. This is also what parents want, happy children who are learning through play. Not expensive care and to fork out more due to the government breaking promises. Yes workers should all hold a cert 3 or diploma (which they should pay for not the government or alternatively if it is given as a free course a year part time should be worked unpaid while studying, like a practicum or trainee style system) remain abreast of current training and theory. EC teachers should only be required for the 4-5 years classes and the government should subsidize and pick up the cost as we know access to day care before prep improves the childs transition into prep. What's really happening in many long day cares is that the staff are caught up dealing with the 3 , 4 or 5 children in the room who exhibit challenging behaviours, writing lengthy, wordy and unnecessary learning stories relating to the EYLF which is really unnecessary when there's a program displayed and such documentation takes time AWAY from the children, undertaking unnecessary observations on children who are clearly developing as appropriate for their age , writing reflections, paper work and cleaning the room, be it paint, play dough, wee, vomit etc. the staff are generally stressed, over worked and under paid. As a Qualified and registered primary school, and early years teacher I am disappointed with the

early years education sector. We were told that to play music in our long day care centre there must be an educational purpose for this, but yet we get only 3 hours out of a 38hr week to organise, plan and prepare these educational experiences as well as to document learning, set up learning pods and environments, undertake training, network with stakeholders, do professional reading, answer emails, complete transition statements, add to childrens learning journal etc. What is now expect ed of care educators is as much, nearly more then what is expected of 4 year bachelor trained teachers who work less contact hours, get more holiday s and earn nearly double our wage. In our 3 to 5 years classroom we the teachers get bitten , kicked, spat at, scratched by children who have extra needs. We have children who need extra help but they and us are not getting support, these children require 1-1 therapeutic intervention while the other teacher cares for the remaining 20 children 3-5 on her own. This is not quality care and is one reason why staff continue to leave the industry. Spend more money on Early intervention and training, increase our wages and stop expecting parents to keep forking out extra money, they are not getting MORE for what they are paying, improvements are not trickling down to improve things for the workers who work in the sector , if anything you've made it worse, we are under more pressure to work longer hours, into our lunch time and after work to ensure we are rated excellent by people who do not understand the pressures daily on the service, staff or the context of the community we are responding to. more training for staff is Essential especially in managing challenging behaviours and responding to children with special needs. Fix this first, go back to basics where children learn through play and with their teachers who get time to sit and build with the children and spend less time doing paperwork and focusing on outcomes as every child can learn just not in the same way and on the same day. Parents who have a ratio of often 2 parents to 1, 2, 3 children need to be more accountable for teaching their children and take more responsibility for this, childcare workers although qualified and experienced have often ip to 50 children on a preschool roll, all aged between 3-5 with different interests, strengths, experiences, attention spans, learning styles and backgrounds catering to this, keeping up with paperwork and receiving only 2 hrs planning time a week seems inadequate and an unfair task when we are generally paid between 20 to 27 dollars an hour depending on experience and qualifications.

74. I have two early childhood education aged children that would be affected by the potential cut to preschool or kindergarten funding. I am also a teacher that would lode employment opportunity in early childhood education under the same scenario. This would potentially hit our family harder than most. Please reconsider and do not cut funding to early childhood education!

75. I have both used and worked within this sector. I am also halfway through a Masters in Early Childhood Education and provide specialist ECE services as a business owner into a number of childcare centres.

Based on my own observations of multiple centres, there are very few I would put my own children in, due to concerns over quality, child-centredness and child: staff ratios. In fact, research shows that, unless children come from at risk or vulnerable families, childcare is NOT a good universal option for children under 3 years of age - a fact that is conveniently overlooked in much of the common literature on this topic. Furthermore, children 3 and older should have quality ECE, not the 'babysitting' that is passed off for it at many centres, despite allegedly qualified staff. How many centres, for example, would be willing to have video camera surveillance on in their centres that parents could log into at any time to see what's going on? Pretty much none I reckon - and why would that be? Nothing to do with stressed

out and unprofessional staff not doing the right thing by kids by any chance? How many kids can say this? How many parents get to see it or even know about it? How many educators turn a blind eye to it?

Research such as that done by Canadian Dr Fraser Mustard demonstrates that early childhood is s key time to get educational opportunities RIGHT, and removing women and men AS PARENTS and primary educators from that equation by a combination of inflexible workplaces and children being placed on the lowest rungs of the societal ladder meant that adults are suited very well to keep working for the economy thank you, but what about parents who really want to parent being supported as the best possible caregivers to very young children? 'Babies' rooms' are truly heartbreaking. Institutionalised and normalised poor quality childcare being utilised en masse will see this country grappling with a raft of social problems from disengaged adults down the track unless the whole societal view of early childhood and what the best options for FAMILIES are is taken into account. Much more flexible workplaces and work opportunities offered by employers is a key part of this equation too, not merely the in-sector raft of problems that beset early care provision.

76. These changes definitely would have a huge detrimental effect on safety and quality of care in children services. In an average room of children teachers are relying on high level of skill and training to support and care for a mix if children that will always include life threatening allergies and health conditions, high behavioural and developmental needs, as well as the usual and extremely important daily social, physical, educational, emotional needs of all of the children. To do this role safely and effectively takes high level education, training, experience, and skills. And even with all that, there is only so much one adult can physically and humanly do. The ratio requirements as they currently stand only barely enable this to be possible. Changes as suggested will definitely put lives at risk and turn a positive introduction into schooling into a very negative and damaging one.

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77. I have 3 children in child care and I also have spent the last 3 years working as an educator. I have recently left the industry mainly for both personal and professional reasons.

It is a true mission to work out weather or not it's actually worth returning to work. The more I earn the less I get from family assistance and childcare increases. I end up working 4 days a week with the same amount of money in my pocket as if i had worked 1 day and got the maximum assistance.

I want a new career but Is it worth it?

As an educator the wage does not compare to the job description.

The workload/paperwork is increasing but overtime is rarely or never paid.

Most centers I've worked in are struggling to keep their ECT's I know of 4 local centers that have had at least 2 changes this year.

Most of the workers are mums so they have more time off to take care of the kids, plus they catch the normal colds ect through caring for the sick kids that get bought in.

Don't even get me started on the children that require inclusion support. Those kids might be in 4 days a week and you get support for about 4 hrs. That is not meeting the needs of that child or the other 23 in the room not to mention the stress on the staff.

QLD

78. Qualifications for childcare workers should be the same for all those caring for children in Early Childhood centres, regardless of the child's age. Children 3 and younger deserve staff trained at at least the same level as those caring for children over 3. As a mother of a toddler and a worker in an early childhood program I know that the most crucial years of a person's development are from birth to 3 years old, hence the importance that those caring for this group are highly trained, that is at least to Diploma level.

VIC

79. As both a teacher and a parent of a child in a fabulous chilc care centre, I am extremely concerned by the proposals put forward.

Child care centres have the flexibility, creativity and safe environment to provide quality care and education for young children.

As a primary school teacher I am appalled to think that someone could even consider putting even younger children into the school system. Prep children are already so young in a primary school and require constant support both emotionally and educationally as they transition into school.

The safety and wellness of young children should be the ONLY focus not dollars or tax cuts, these are our CHILDREN NOT pawns to be moved around and messed with.

Child care should also NOT be means tested, this will seriously disadvantage a number of families who are already struggling to make ends meet.

I would not and WILL NEVER allow my child when he is 3 years old to participate in OSHC, the idea is just ridiculous and completely unsafe. The pressure that it would put on these services in insane.

Child care centres need to be allowed to continue to provide the quality education and care that they do for babies right through to pre prep.

NO CHILD should have to miss out on this opportunity due to unfair means testing.

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80. Under 3 year olds need qualified educators and non for profit operators should not have further funding or concession cuts. NSW needs to retain the NQF and ECT requirements

NSW

81. I am not a fan of the Productivity Commission proposal. Cutting back the qualifications of an ECE to educate our future children with only a diploma or "equivalent to" qualification will put a massive crisis in our short and long term goals for our children. Evidence, statistics and studies have shown that quality early childhood education provides a strong foundation for lifelong learning. Recently Australia has only just made the EYLF on a national level- which through an ECE eyes enables us to benchmark our performance against external criteria. But if grandparents and nannies are going to be able to get some support from the Abbott government- how will the government be able to measure and compare a childcare centre's level of work to grandparents and nannies? Would the nannies and grandparents have to write observations, learning stories and implement assessment and reporting plans? We are already on the low end scale of the UNICEF reporting cards. We need to stop society's cliché of ECE are only being paid to supervise, play and baby sit children. This needs to STOP!

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82. If we really want to make Early Childhood Education and Care affordable then we need to look at the profits that Private Centre owners are making. Educators are not being paid professional wages, they go without lunch breaks, programming time and often work back unpaid overtime reguarly, bring in their own equipment and resources - yet this is not being passed on in reduced fees to families. I, and other educators and parents, feel that the point of this commission should be about making private owners accountable for the amount of money they make from all Australians (through CCB and CCR) and then in fees from families. Instead there is a feeling that it is merely a way of the Federal Government to reward private owners, who are only involved in this profession to make alot of money, and get rid of expensive, trained and experienced staff so they can make more profits, regardless of the impact this will have on children and families and through them our communities. In 15 years of being an ECT I have yet to meet a owner of a Child Care Centre who did not drive a expensive car, live in an expensive suburb and have alot of expensive clothes and go on alot of holidays.

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83. There are many points in the draft report that deeply concern me as both a parent and an educator. The biggest is the recommendation that children under 3 do not need an educator who holds a diploma qualification caring for them.

We all know that the first years are the most important and to suggest that my child does not need to be cared and taught by someone with suitable qualifications is an outrage. Education begins at birth and therefore we need the best and most qualified educators working with out most vulnerable age groups.

I also strongly feel that we should not be compromising on ratio or the National Quality Standards. Early Childhood Education is a highly professional industry and as such is capable of being held up to a thorough and important assessment process. We need to ensure educators are recognised as the capable and extremely qualified people they are. We also need to ensure that we have the best processes and most thorough to ensure the best education and rights for our children - Australia's future leaders.

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84. As an educator, aunt and prospective parent, my key concerns with childcare are the quality of the carers and educators who care for my children and the price I have to pay when choosing to return to work.

I am concerned with the proposal to reduce qualifications requirements for educators of children aged zero to three years.

Accessing affordable childcare is a big challenge for many families. I welcome the recognition that the overall level of childcare assistance needs to be increased.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds get the biggest benefit from accessing quality early learning and care. It would be a backward step if access to early learning for disadvantaged children became harder.

I expect, if I choose to entrust my children to a formal care environment that I leave them with educators who are qualified to support their individual learning and care needs at a price I can afford.

My family values quality early learning for children, particularly in the early years before they are three. We want to feel comfortable leaving our children with educators

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who know and understand the development of my child.

The first three years of life are a vital part of a child’s development, having educators who understand and contribute to my child’s development is important to me.

85. I have had my daughter in childcare from the age of 12 months and can't express how valuable the teachers and their knowledge of child development have been. My child is now 4 and in care 5 days a week and without the care and support of the professionals in her centre I would not have been able to manage my return to full time work. As a primary teacher I understand the value of trained staff and the quality teaching they bring to childcare centres. As both a parent and teacher I am concerned about proposed changes to qualifications that impact such an important role in an industry that is essential and makes an impact on young children's prime years of growth and development.

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86. It is with great hope that the government uses their common sense and not go backwards on the commitment that has been put in place for the universal access of all children having the benefit to have quality education the year before they go to school. I have a year one child and I am a teacher, therefor my child has been around learning all his life and we still have to work to get through his spelling and writing. I wonder without an affordable or free (as in the case with our kindy for Aboriginal and health care card holders) pre-school/Kindergarten, would the most venerable access kindy? probably not because education will not be as important as putting food on the table. Therefore will these children get a good start in life? Will they be behind the eight ball? I think so. A Kindergarten/early learning centre gives kids other skills apart from academic skills that will make them ready for school, these include separation from parents, learning to listen to others outside the home and social skills. In the case of some children when and where to use swear words! Because Early education use guidance behaviour technique it becomes a subtle way of telling children how to behave in school like environment. I am sure you are aware of the economic benefits of giving a good quality early education to children. This backs the notion that all children should have access to a quality education service.

QLD

87. As a parent, my key concerns with childcare are the quality of the carers and educators who care for my children and the price I have to pay when choosing to return to work.

I have one child, three years old, in a not for profit long day care centre at Good Start Early Learning Centre.

I am concerned with the proposal to reduce qualifications requirements for educators of children aged zero to three years.

Accessing affordable childcare is a big challenge for many families. I welcome the recognition that the overall level of childcare assistance needs to be increased.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds get the biggest benefit from accessing quality early learning and care. It would be a backward step if access to early learning for disadvantaged children became more expensive.

I expect, if I choose to entrust my children to a formal care environment that I leave them with educators who are qualified to support their individual learning and care needs at a price I can afford.

VIC

My family values quality early learning for children, particularly in the early years before they are three. We want to feel comfortable leaving our children with educators who know and understand the development of my child.

The first three years of life are a vital part of a child’s development, having educators who understand and contribute to my child’s development is important to me.

As a Primary School Teacher who works primarily on the Junior levels. We see everyday the difference between children that have had formal education from those early steps of development to those who don't. We are trying create a society of highly educated children who can become active citizens within the community and yet we are taking away vital educational experience that help mold these children to be just that. I personally think that it would be a major injustice to the children if you lower the qualifications of staff. I have thoroughly enjoyed witnessing all the things my daughter has learned whilst being in care and wish for this to continue at an affordable price for any of my future children.

88. I have 2 children aged 2.5 and 3.5 in long day care in Toowoomba. I teach in the local primary school. As a trained educator, the most important factor in day care for me is the qualification of the staff who educate my children while I'm working to earn money to support my family. You get what you pay for and I believe the child care fees would definately reflect that. If my children are just left to be baby sat all day, it defeats the purpose of me working and I should stay at home and educate them myself. If I know the staff are equally qualified, its reassuring to know while I'm earning money, at least my children are learning. These years are so vital prior to them beginning in primary school It would be such a disadvantage to the children to provide them with less quality educators for the sake of saving a few dollars.

QLD

89. I am a single mother of one, finishing my bachelor degree in Early Childhood Education. I have worked in many educational settings and witnessed the significant impact that a well planned program can have on all of the different cohorts of children. As well as being an advocate for quality education in the early years, I understand the need for quality care for all children. This is not possible in poor working conditions where staff turn-overs are high. This is what will happen if there are decreases in funds and professional development in this sector. Our children are our future. The demands of our society require parents to work in order to survive financially. To do this childcare and out of hours care are high in demand. Would you like your child to be in the care of somebody that does not value each and every learning curve that they are about to take on? If a mother is not financially able to support her family from home then she would expect that her child(ren) recieve as much love and attention and learning opportunities that she would normally provide on a daily basis. This is not just an idustry. These are our children and our future.

TAS

90. As a parent, my key concerns with childcare are the quality of the carers and educators who care for my children and the price I have to pay when choosing to return to work.

I have 1child, 2years old, in a not for profit long day care centre at Goodstart.

I am concerned with the proposal to reduce qualifications requirements for educators of children aged zero to three years.

Accessing affordable childcare is a big challenge for many families. I welcome the

SA

recognition that the overall level of childcare assistance needs to be increased.

Children from disadvantaged backgrounds get the biggest benefit from accessing quality early learning and care. It would be a backward step if access to early learning for disadvantaged children became harder.

The first three years of a childs development is crucial to their language and wellbeing skills. Please consider

91. I have three children aged 12, 8, and 2. I also work (in childcare), but to be able to work, I need to be able to afford to pay for childcare. Many others will be in the same position, if they cant afford to pay for the childcare, they simply cant work. There have been times since I have had children where it was not worth me going back to work, as I was only earning about $20 more for going to work than I would have if I wasn't working at all. In that case, I would rather stay at home and spend quality time with my child. Times can be tough, and so much of my wage already goes into childcare, I certainly don't want to be paying more again. I have always said I would be rich if I didn't have kids with the amount we have to spend on daycare alone. And working in the industry, I think we also need to have more qualified workers, who have actually been trained in how to deal with certain scenarios that may occur in the workplace and trained to help develop a childs learning, otherwise our quality of care is going to drop significantly. I don't want to drop my child off to a carer who is not qualified and doesn't know what they are doing. I really hope you think about all of this before going ahead with this proposal

NSW

92. As a parent, the most important issue for me when I choose childcare is the quality of the carers and educators that teach and care for my baby. Working in an early childhood service, the other big issue when I returned to work was affordability. Was it worth my while returning to work? Would all my pay be eaten up in childcare costs?

I have 4 children, 3 being in school and 1 who is 10 months old.

I am very concerned with the proposal to reduce qualifications requirements for educators of children aged zero to three years. It implies that there is very little learning happening in these years and that they just need to be babysat. However every single piece of research tells us the opposite.

VIC

93. As a Parent, I have real concerns about removing the requirement for diploma qualified educators to work with children under 3 years of age. As costs of living rise more parents are being forced with small newborns/babies/toddlers back into the work force to just.....scrape by! How on earth can they be expected to do this if ANYONE can just walk on in and get a job! There is some peace of mind when you drop your child that the person has studied, trained and put the effort in and got the required qualifications necessary to be there. They obviously want to do the job, enjoy the rewards of working with small children and will treat your child with care. Please don't change what works for everyone involved!!

TAS

94. I am the parent of a child with autism who currently attends a mainstream community managed not for profit childcare service. The supportive and highly educated carers here have provided excellent opportunities for my son to be included with typically developing children and have significantly contributed to him heading off to

VIC

mainstream school next year. Without their expertise and dedication (even attending behaviour seminars outside of work hours) I would not have been able to return to the workforce. We have found this service invaluable with constant attendance of the carers (which does not happen at larger centres) Having an ASD my son would not have coped with different carers constantly who did not know or understand him.

I am not prepared to compromise the health, safety, well-being or learning and development of my child.

95. I have worked in the OSHC sector for 10 years and am Bachelor of Education degree trained and currently studying Diploma of Education and Care. I am also a mother of a 4 year old in full time LDC. I am deeply disturbed by this draft report and find it contradictory when the government spout that they want quality outcomes for children yet want to water down ratios and qualification to which there is extensive research to suggest quality care results in better outcomes for children.

I have seen professional growth in educators and quality outcomes for children from the implementation of the NQF within both sectors. I am appalled of the suggestion that school ratios would be sufficient for OSHC and that individual child planning would not be needed. I have seen a lift in professionalism and importantly the intentional teaching from educators since we have been required to do this and am concerned with this implementation we would be taking a step backwards.

The financial impact in the suggested changes for not for profit centers will put the price up for families as they will need to recover costs. Taking away qualified educators will not reduce costs; it will result in a loss of jobs and career progression for educators.

The government want to support the return into the workforce for women yet with this report the financial impact and decrease of quality in care would be contradictory to this. I would like to have another child in the near future but if these recommendations for non-qualified and averaging of ratios I will not put my child into care and would prefer to battle decreased income than risking my child’s social, emotional and physical development. Research shows the importance of quality care and secure attachment in birth to 5. Brain development particularly in first few years highlights that this is the crucial period in a person’s lives that they have secure attachments, exposure to quality play and educational experiences, nutrition and physical activities. They don’t just need bottles, bed and food they need to be with people who know what quality care and education means and the ability to implement it.

The report comes from a money based angle and completely removed the education component and just looks at care. Higher wages for educational professionals who solve the issue of creating a sustainable childcare system in the future along with the NQF we have in place. Our children deserve better and Australia will be paying for this in the future.

I am asking the government to keep the NQF as it is at the moment and not roll back any requirements because quality matters!

TAS

96. In Question Time yesterday, Assistant Minister of Education Sussan Ley spoke of once-in-a-generation opportunity to reset child care policy for the next generation.

If this Commission presents such a significant opportunity, how can the government

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neglect to include the quality aspects of early childhood education and care services in the Terms of Reference - ratios, qualifications and remuneration for educators?

There is ample research that indicates that the quality of ECEC services is critical in determining positive outcomes for children, and therefore, our communities. Heckman (2012) presents the economic benefits of investing in early childhood education. The EPPE study (2003) is longitudinal research that found that better child:educator ratios and higher educator qualifications in early childhood settings have a positive effect on children's success at school. Recent Australian research by Gialamas (2014) indicates that quality child care for children aged 2-3 years prepares children to be more attentive and better able to cope with their emotions when they start school. The emphasis in all of this research is that quality matters. Affordability and accessibility for parents are very important, but they are not the total picture. Parents want quality, educators want quality. Our children deserve better than to be sidelined by economic rationale, especially when there is evidence that states that making investment in our children is actually good economic policy - as Heckman states, ‘The earlier the investment, the greater the return.

97. As both an Educator and a parent using full time care I have a great interest in this profession. I believe it very important that Eductors should have high levels of Education when we as a society rely on them to guide our children through their early years and help shape ther future of our country. I believe our Educator to child ratios should be increased if anything to ensure quality of care. I also believe that child education services should be more affordable for those returning to full time work

NSW

98. Am a mother of 5 children and still working in the childcare industry. I believe we as Australian society we have the best childcare system and should be continued. As a working mother if the government doesn't support me in paying the childcare fees then I wouldn't be able to work because of high income I cant pay off on my own. Every child deserves a good start in early education and better care in their first years of life.

VIC

99. As a parent and an early childhood educator my key concerns with childcare is the quality of service that we are providing to families, and the type of career that i have entered, with qualifications.

I am extremely concerned with the proposal to reduce qualifications requirements for educators of children aged zero to three years. the first few years of a childs life and development is vital and through my education and qualifications i have a better understanding of this and able to provide quality care.

As a parent i expect to entrust my daughter to a formal care environment that I leave them with educators who are qualified to support their individual learning and care needs at a price I can afford.

With the national quality standards arent we making the Early years a good learning experience where children are provided with educational and purposeful experiences and not just a babysitting service?

VIC

100. As a parent my key concerns with child care is the quality of the educators who care for my children and the price that I need to pay. Currently I do not get CCB, but do receive CCR, I am however concerned that if the CCR is means tested I am not going

QLD

to be able to afford to work or have my children in care. This will siginifantly impact on my family, which i very am concerned about. My husband and I have always worked and I believe that by doing this we have not only supported our local communities, by buying local products and shopping at local stores, but we have also supported the country by paying our taxes. I do believe that the government needs to support working families (middle income earners) as these are the families who are helpiing drive the economy, one day to do this is definetely providing more assistance towards the cost of child care fees, as this is where a huge chunk of our income does go to.

I would be very concerned if educator to child ratios were reduced, as this would make me feel anxious about leaving my children in care, due to supervision concerns, but also quality outcome concerns.

I value the first five years of a childs life and feel that these years are vital in preparing the child for life. I would also be very concerned if qualification levels were reduced, as I believe that educators need to have knowledge of child development and the importance of quality early learning programs.

101. Australia is a signatory in the UN Convention for the Rights of the Child, and as part of our commitment to uphold children’s rights, we must ensure that every child participates in early childhood education prior to formal schooling (regardless of parental employment status). I agree with your recommendations to redirect proposed funding for the paid parental leave scheme and inject it into early childhood education and care.

Early childhood education and care is associated with an improvement in academic performance at the age of 13 and found early entrance into early childhood education predicts a creative, socially confident, popular, open and independent adolescent (Adamson, 2008). Adamson also cites findings in The Economics of Investing in Universal Preschool Education in California report 2005 which found that children who attended early childhood education were more likely to graduate from high school, earned higher salaries as adults, and were less likely to become involved in crime.

Early childhood education and care can be delivered in various modes from ‘long day care’, short day (“or preschool”), family day care. Formal early learning settings such as these offer children opportunities to interact with peers and develop essential interpersonal skills that lay the foundation for academic success later in school life (Katz, 2003). Removing preschools from the NQS may incorrectly convey messages to the community that ‘preschools’ provide better early childhood programs, when instead we should be educating the community the children develop well in good quality early childhood environments.

All formal early childhood programs offer children opportunities to learn pre-literacy and numeracy concepts through play and discussion because it is in these settings that children engage in meaningful interactions with peers. Traditional/structured prior to school activities such as colouring stencils or tracing shapes are developmentally inappropriate for children in early childhood. The interpersonal skills that children develop through: group interaction; self directed play; and group discussion, provide a greater platform for academic achievement later in life than do rigid stencil tracing and other predominantly solitary ‘school readiness’ activities. “The most important

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intellectual dispositions are inborn and must be strengthened and supported rather than undermined by premature academic pressures” (Katz, 2003, p5).

Furthermore, incorporating nannies who simply hold a certificate 3 in children’s services into the NQS will not offer children the opportunity to attend early learning settings where they are able to interact with other children. Likening nannies or grandparents with a certificate 3 to early childhood programs offered in children’s services is undermining the social and emotional benefits children gain when attending formal early childhood education services. Children gain 2.5 I.Q points for every year they attend formal prior to school settings as opposed to their peers who attend informal care prior to school (Bernal & Keane, 2010). I believe we need to look at other ways to address access issues of working families for example short day preschools opening for longer hours and not closing over school holidays could be an option.

“It has become necessary to focus our concern on what happens in those early months and years. It is here that action can be taken that will enable all children to become all that they can be. And it is here, if at all, that the selfperpetuating cycle of disadvantage will be broken (Adamson, 2008, p. 34).

References

Adamson, P. (2008). The childcare Transition: a league table of early childhood education and care in economically advanced countries. Innocenti Report Card, 8. Paris: UNICEF

Bernal, R. and M. Keane (2010). Quasi-Structural Estimation of a Model of Child Care Choices and Child Cognitive Ability Production, Journal of Econometrics, 156(2010) p.164-189.

Katz, L. (2003). The right of the child to develop and learn in quality environments. International Journal of Early Childhood, 35(1&2) p.13-22.

102. Being both a team leader at a long day child care centre who works full time, studying my early childhood degree and a parent of a child with a learning disability I find it incredibly hard to survive on the wages I earn for the responsibility of 4 educators, running the centre in the directors absence and 50+ children’s lives I am in charge of each day. Before my child became school age I found it incredibly hard to pay my children's fees as I handed my wage to somebody doing the same job as I am and support my husband as he is studying full time at TAFE. Having been in the industry for 18 years I do not do my job for the money but for the rewards of watching children grow to their potential. I do my job as there is not better reward then Children walking up to you on the street telling you the difference you have made in their life. Each day I walk into the room greeted by smiles of joy in knowing that the day has begun and we are going to go on amazing journey of learning. If I didn’t have an amazing team of highly qualified passionate educators we would not achieve the standard of higher order thinking that we currently do.

The government seriously needs to look at the pay conditions without affecting the fees parents currently pay. Parents cannot afford to take up the slack of fee increases to cover the possibility of a pay increase.

By watering down ratios and quality in the sector I fear that children are at risk of

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harm. The 1:5 ratio in toddlers and 1:4 ratio in babies is crucial to learning development as 80% of brain development happens in the first 5 years. I do not understand how Abbot government is looking to stop these changes which mean that children receive high quality care then I am worried that they will not develop to their full potential. I am worried for the Children’s safety and the Educator’s safety.

103. I am a parent of 2 children under 5, lecturer in early childhood education and strategic planner. This is a personal contribution as a parent who can see many sides of this complex issue.

I would like to see the productivity commision recommend the government maintain focus on the "quality"of early childhood education rather than continuing with the rhetoric of the "Childcare market" and early childhood education and care as a "product"- this includes maintaining the ratios and qualifications set out in the NQF and shifting the current focus from workforce participation back to education and learning. Streamlining the complexity of the subsidy system without decreasing the support available is welcome and advisable. While the commitment to fund UA for the next 12 months is welcome it is not sustainable to continue to fund UA on an adhoc basis nor to simply shift Kindergaten funding to the states- Children deserve better than a 12 month commitment to their Education. Australia deserves an ongoing commitment to an early childhood education system that is high quality, well funded and supports families desires to work, study and raise their children.

Women's participation in the workforce is important, but it is a complex area. The gender pay gap and the cost of repaying higher education loans is a major barrier. Many educated women of my generation question the logic of placing their children in Childcare with less educated women to raise while they go off and work. Particularly when their pay, career opportunities and the inequitable impact on repayments of higher education loans is so great (particularly under recent changes proposed by the minister). In many cases I see my peers make the choice to raise their children themselves - they understand the research about rich childhoods and are applying it with their children in their homes and this is more attractive than poor pay, conditions and large loan repayments. I use Early childhood services and family day care and often feel judged by my peers that I work at all. The existing subsidy system is so complex, it's hard to know what support we are receiving so making decisions about working is difficult. The govt and by extension the PC is focused on only one dimension- getting women into the workforce and this misses the complexity of the situation for educated women.

The lack of part time flexible professional jobs is another barrier, as is the fact that PPL is only available from your first employer. Working a mix of part time jobs as many professional women are forced to do, means you don't receive replacement wage under either of the PPL schemes. The existing PPL scheme is equitable - the proposed scheme is not, and would be better invested in improving quality (through better ratios and qualifications for all early education settings) than paying higher income individuals. The proposed scheme may beneift some individuals for a year but the latter would benefit all working parents and is a better long term investment of tax payer money to benefit Australia in the long term.

The policy agenda from this govt is currently quite contradictory. There is investment in professional development for long day care staff but not the pay increases to support

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retention of these more qualified professionals. There is a push for women's participation in the workforce but increasing barriers to participation- changes to higher education loan repayments for example and the removal of the early years fund that improves working conditions for working women in the childcare sector. There are many more examples.

The productivity commission report is also quite contradictory- supporting the NQF but diluting the qualifications for children under 3 and entrenching the dichotomy between care and education. Both these changes go against the research evidence and are disingenuous when so much headway has been made to breaking down the barrier between education and care and improving ratios and qualifications in recent years.

Refocusing this government on quality and 'children's learning and development', not "care vs education" is essential for real return on investment- politically, socially and economically, now and well into the future. Recent draft modelling by Price Waterhouse Coopers confirms this as does the work of Professors Joesph Sparling, Tim Moore and Frank Oberklaid and I would implore the PC to take account of this research when making their recommendations.

104. I am a World Forum Men in Early Childhood Education Co-coordinator and Australian representative, and coordinate and teach at a small community preschool. As founder of the national Males in Early Childhood Network Group, I provide mentoring for male early childhood students, and have presented locally and nationally on men in early childhood education.

I would like to highlight that currently in Australia, the number of men involved as staff in early childhood services is 2.6% of the total workforce. Men are not targeted as potential early childhood educators, which does not make sense if we are wanting a diverse workforce.

On the policy level, there must be a recognition of the importance of male workers in early childhood. The current Early Years Workforce Strategy does not specifically mention men as potential recruits when addressing the perceived future shortages of staff.

The benefits for children to have more men involved in early childhood services are far reaching. Developmentally, it is beneficial for young children to have exposure to gender diversity within their service. Having a stable male role model in the early years can assist in forming healthy gender identity for both boys and girls. Male participation allows children of both sexes to see that men can be as capable as women in caring for and teaching young children.

There are also benefits for fathers. If a male is present on the staff team, a rare circumstance, it can provide a signal to fathers that men are welcome in the early childhood centre setting. Seeing males in these roles shows that men can play a part in children’s care and education. This may encourage fathers to increase their involvement and be an active participant in their child’s experience of the early childhood service.

In the broader context, males as child care workers could also demonstrate to the wider community that men are capable of taking responsibility for children.

I firmly believe that this is an area that must be considered, to assist in providing

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healthy outcomes for all.

105. I am disgusted with the Productivity Commissions lack of interest for Family Day Care throughout this whole process. Our sector was hardly mentioned, apart from the suggestion of nannies forming part of our group structure.

No mention about the cut in ratio from 1:5 to 1:4, no mention of our funding cuts and how we are going to stay viable for our local families and communities.

Absolutely gutted!!!!!, angry, disappointed. As to are all the families who use care in our scheme. '

Productivity Commission.... you did NOT listen to any Family Day Care concerns.

Once again we are ignored and not recognised as quality childcare educators. You wonder why childcare is in such a bad state!!!!

NSW

106. I fully support the National Quality Framework, as it has made improvements to Early Childhood Education (or child care?), and it's continued implementation without any rollback will make improvements in the future.

As a society we are responsible for investing in our children, as they are our future.

So this investment should include:

- maintaining the current NQF requirements for staff qualifications, and for educator:child ratios,

- continued, and increased funding from the Federal Government for quality early childhood education, and

- ensuring that Preschools continue to be included in the NQF - removing Preschools from the NQF, creating a separate group of early childhood services, would be national disgrace!!

Invest in our future. No penny pinching for short term economic savings!

NSW

107. I have been in the field for about 13 yrs. and I have found it very important area for every families and special it easy for families with any activities (work, study) and goes on. Having children services like family day care and child care or before and after school care its amazing how we have this facility growing on the daily basis and its very good to have that in our state people do need this services and use them at all time for their children and grand children at all time Educators and team leaders are so help full through out the year till the children reach a level of their educations.

Haven’t said that, all the above mentioned would help the service centre if supported from the government, other wise so hard for the FDC without support to be active.

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108. I have been working in education and care services for 26 years. I had my children going through child care as well. I hold overseas teaching qualifications and Australian Early Childhood Diploma from Institute of Early Childhood Studies (1987).

I am presently Director of LDC and over the years I had many educators with various qualifications and experiences working with me. Our program improved dramatically when we employed qualified educators. The very young Australians deserve the

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qualified teachers who study pedagogy and child development.

At present we have 2 ECT, 5 Diploma and 1 Cert.3 who is studying for Diploma, which is well above the standards for 39 places centre. We cater for 6 weeks to 6 years and only Diploma and above qualified educator can work with babies.

Australia needs to lift their standards not water them down!

We are community based service with the waiting list and our families recognise us for the quality of service we provide.

109. I have worked in the childcare sector for 20 years and have seen many changes, some good some bad! I believe there has be a happy medium between trained and untrained workers as in the school system.

Child care needs to be affordable for everyone but this will not happen unless the government subsidize it for the families that really need it.

The focus has to be centered around the children within the childcare centers, too much time is spent on meaningless tasks that don't benefit the children!

QLD

110. I strongly believe that our children's future is currently at a crossroads. The current government is attempting to negate the importance of these years and the role that Early Learning Centres and Educators play in these years. The years between 0-5 are the platform for which these children will launch from, not just in a Educational sense but also socially, emotionally and physically. My children attend a service 5 days a week, which if not for the discount provided by the service i work for, i would be paying well over half my weekly wage in fees. It would be unfair and unreasonable to cut my rebates to a point that it would not be worth my working. This would then impact on my families life and my children's future.

QLD

111. I support the productivity commission’s commitment to the provision of quality, affordable early childhood education and care for all children in Australia. We support the combination of current subsidy schemes into a single child based scheme, however named. It is important that all services approved as eligible for this scheme be regulated and monitored under the National Quality Framework (NQF) as a minimum standard. Eligibility should be based on quality standards not service type. What is the perceived benefit of providing up to 100 hours of care for a family that meets the 24 hour activity test. This removes accessibility to hours for other areas and this money could then benefit other areas of community needs.

It is imperative that the qualification and ratio requirements within Early Childhood services are maintained or increased. International research is clear that quality learning environments in programs facilitated by well trained professionals has positive impacts on learning and development of children. Universal Access to 15 hours of Early Childhood Education (kindergarten) must continue across Australia. It is essential that funding is maintained while the federal and state governments negotiate an ongoing funding formula. Additional costs cannot be passed on to families. Delivery of funding through the school system without the maintenance of the NQF will erode the requirement to maintain standards of safety, education and care that meet the needs of children below school age. Every child should have access to fully funded education programs, regardless of service type (kindergarten, Long Day

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Care, Occasional Care, Family Day Care) which needs to be balanced across all age groups to support their individual development, education and care. This could be funded as follows; 15 hours for 4 year olds, 10 hours for 3’s, 5 hours for 2’s and 3 hours for 0-2. Appropriately qualified educators must facilitate all programs. Kindergartens coming in under school regulations rather than early years regulations need to have appropriate consideration of the impact that the change will have on current requirements such as; toilets, ratio, supervision, fencing, school age framework / early years outcomes. These are currently suited to the developmental level and requirement of the child and include the holistic approach of the National Quality Framework. To remove kindergartens from the NQF would deny children and families the assurance of quality and consistency that this provides. School age entry needs to be reviewed to be in line with international research into child development ages and stages and school readiness. If the kindergartens move to the school system will this then negate this debate or will it assist with changing the whole school level age system from entry at Primary school to exit at end of high school. Lifting school entry age is a must, particularly in relation to evidence coming for the Netherlands and Germanic states. Kindergarten could be made compulsory to highlight the importance of this year in a child’s development in learning the importance of self, communication, social and community skills required for preparation for the school community .Flexibility requirements and cost impacts are very different in regional and rural communities to those in the cities and metro areas. Travel distances, access to qualified staff, specialist services and income levels of families need to be taken into account when allocating funding. There needs to be the promotion of positive attitudes towards shared family friendly arrangements, particularly expanding to fathers and the role they now play in the care of children. A realistic costing for quality education and care should be carried out and supported by the Commonwealth government. Quality of training needs to be maintained for all age levels of education and care in all service types. To deem a child less than three years less worthy of a fully trained educator at minimum diploma level displays a lack of understanding of current research that promotes the values of education of children in the first 5 years of their life and its future benefits that come from this as they journey into adulthood. Children in any type of care environment should have the benefit of the NQF. Any service that receives funding from any government should be required to meet these requirements to ensure that all services are providing quality, measurable and consistent education and care standards. Opportunities for Family Day Care models should be extended to support the supervision of people providing ‘funded’ in home care arrangements eg nannies, grandparent carers. The NQF offers consistent quality education and practice across the service sector rather than individual services dependant on individual management and staffing. There is also the need to improve the design of the assessment and ratings system in particular in improving the timeliness of responses to services and agencies in all matters relating to findings, notifications, compliances and training queries. This would entail an immediate review of application and enforcement of the NQF and the funding and staffing to suit. Under the current guidelines, there is no value in the supervisor’s certificates. The qualifications, recruitment, and ongoing professional development maintained by the approved provider are adequate to ensure that the service meet all requirements under the NQF. Further information on the productivity commission’s view on zoning needs clarification. We support the elimination of building requirements in Childrens

regulations where the building code meets or exceeds the children’s regulations.

The expansion of options for the provision of services on a variety of sites should rest solely on the adherence to quality standards – the NQF. The increase or decrease, of education and care places should be related to quality first, needs second and site as a final consideration point. While the inclusion of Early Childhood Education and Care within the school system has benefits in the recognition of the educational value of the services it does not recognise the developmental differences of children below school age and has the risk of creating a ‘poor cousin’ early years structure within the school. While funding is directly tied to specific age groups or needs – kindergarten and working parents there is no possibility of ‘siphoning’ off funds for other functions. The Victorian Department of Education and Early Childhood Development is currently understaffed to meet the needs of early childhood education and car environments. The Draft Report from the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Childcare and Early Learning provides a starting point for discussion on the future of services for children below school age. I would, in closing, like to point out the use of the currently accepted terminology Early Childhood Education and care rather than the archaic use of the term Childcare and Early Learning – which erroneously separates the two functions – would continue the progressive move to supporting quality outcomes for all children.

112. I work in OSHC and have 3 children all who have been in care at some point.

Some suggestions for viable solutions:

Every person who wishes to work with children should have to pass a psychological evaluation with their Blue Card. NO EXCEPTIONS

Paperwork required is too much and detracts the carer from their primary responsibility of looking after the children.

1. CCR should automatically be applied directly to the service to reduce the fees.2. Services should be allowed to operate within places of employment, with fewer

restrictions on facilities, so that parents can have access to their children during breaks and be able to observe their children throughout the day.

3. Bookings should be flexible for the changing rosters that are meant to be 'family friendly' in modern times.

4. Carers who are qualified professionals should be paid as such. Not forced to live on the poverty line.

5. Parents should have to provide a document/contract of employment to the Care service stating their work hours -so that children are not left at the service from 6am to 6pm while they are having their nails done/beers/shopping/going to the gym etc.

6. Fees for Leisure care should be higher than fees for working parents care (see above)

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113. I would like to stress the importance of ratios and how this is the one main impact or influential factor on best outcomes fir children. At our Centre, we are particularly under strain to meet the needs of children with additional needs in the 3-5 age group as ratios are not adequate as they stand. Even in the scenario of additional funding, we are often in a situation where we are not able to adequately meet the needs of all children and we are fortunate enough to be funded, to operate at better ratios!

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114. Reduce qualification requirements at services until there is enough supply and more government funding.

Increasing ratios and qualifications will increase fees to parents. Its better to have children in an ECEC service than deny them that access because of the high fees.

Let market forces and parents decide what staff ratios and qualifications they want for their kids.

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115. The future of childcare in Australia is blink.

The National Earlier Years learning Framework (EYLF) "Belonging, Being and Becoming" suggests that if we are to create the very best opportunities for young children, then strong connections and understanding about the child, their family, their culture and the broader community is essential. Children have behind them a complex web of supports, understanding and cultural ways of doing and being that enable them to be.

Goal sitting is an interesting and challenging phenomenon. How will the child care industry achieve those Goals if the government is edging away assistance through CSF (Community Support Funds) leaving the childcare providers to suffer a lone as from July 2015. We need Community Support Funds back if we are to see brighter future in childcare industry. Thanks

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116. What people don’t know about our had working educators is they are also data analysis, referees, cooks, reporters, teachers, nurses and the list goes on. There is a lot involved in caring for other peoples children

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117. Without quality and affordable childcare for my children, I would not be able to work. Without work, I would not participate meaningfully in the economy. Instead I would have to rely on government assistance, placing a burden on society rather than actively engaging in and contributing to it. It is a necessity for Australians to grow and prosper.

The current quality of our childcare provider is outstanding. My children are having their basic needs met, and further to this the centre facilitates heir growth emotionally, socially and physically. Without this stimulation the risk is great that Australian children will be left behind. It is the 0-5 years which are educationally the most profound and consequently his is where funding should be at its highest. Retention rates for further education start now.

Put MORE time and money into childcare. Allow parents to continue to work and contribute. Save money on future education woes (retention, attainment etc) by giving our kids the best start NOW.

TAS