Look, I’d be lying if I said I was bursting out of my skin to get back to the desk on Monday. I was too relaxed to burst anything after what can only be described as a proper, old-school, low-key, who-cares-what-day-it-is, summer holiday at the beach with family. After a hugely intense 2022, it was everything the doctor ordered and then some.
I started the 2023 working year relaxed, grateful and ready to ease into another year of advocacy. A week in, I’m still relaxed but I am also somewhat exercised. There is just no hiding from the fact the reality for families trying to combine their caring responsibilities with their paid work is not just tricky. For many it’s close to impossible.
I know – personally and professionally – that not being able to access or afford suitable early childhood education and care is a huge issue for families. Changing that is a driving force at the advocacy organisation I lead. But even still this week the extent of the challenge really hit me in the face.
On Sunday, ahead of an interview with The Today Show, the host explained off-air that while she would love to be able to access an additional day of early learning for their youngest child, their local service cannot offer an extra day. They just cannot find staff.
On Monday, a message popped up from one of The Parenthood supporters. A mother-of-two who lives in WA was told that in Broome there are currently 700 children on waiting lists for early education and care. Their daughters are number 24th and 80th at one service. They would happily accept even just one day a week. Both parents work in health but if they cannot access suitable care for their children they cannot work.
On Wednesday The Courier-Mail published a report outlining the alarming exodus of educators from early childhood education and care in the state.
‘… after the number of qualified early childhood teachers in the state rose steadily from 2018-2021, it dropped to 3412 in 2022 – below the 2020 figure of 3494.’
On Thursday the Financial Review published a report about sky-rocketing out of pocket fees for early childhood education that parents simply cannot afford.
On the same day the ABC published a story about the closure of a travelling bush early learning service in remote Qld. For more than 15 years, it has offered one day a week of early learning and care to families in the remote towns of Aramac, Muttaburra, Isisford, and Ilfracombe.
“The program run by the Longreach Regional Council was cut this month after a failed search for a second qualified childcare worker.”
In just a few days the key issues for children, educators and families in early education and care are front and centre. None of these stories are isolated. They apply far and wide. And the cost it poses to children, parents, educators and communities is too high. We cannot afford not to fix this problem. So what’s the solution?
An early childhood system in which every child – regardless of postcode or their parents’ income – has access to totally affordable, inclusive quality early childhood education and care that is delivered by a properly paid workforce. Before my return to work I was determined that 2023 would be the year we get closer to that system: a few days in I’m more convinced than ever.