My contact in Australia related the conditions and requirements for early childhood teachers in Austrailia:
Under Australia's National Quality Framework for Early Childhood Education and Care there are several requirements:
- All educators must be qualified to at least a Certificate III qualification (took effect from 1 January 2014)
- Half of all educators must hold a Diploma qualification(took effect from 1 January 2014)
- A four year Batchelor's degree qualified teacher must be present in the service (took effect from 1 January 2014)
- A second four year Batchelor's degree qualified teacher must be present in the service (takes effect from 1 January 2020)
In addition, the Australian Government has implemented a range of initiatives aimed at supporting, training and retaining an experienced and qualified early childhood workforce and these are complemented by state and territory government training programs and accompanying workforce strategies. Some examples include:
- recognition of prior learning initiatives
- subsidies for educators studying a Certificate III
- removal of fees for educators studying a diploma (NPA on TAFE Fee Waivers)
- subsidies for student loans for early childhood teachers (HECS/HELP Benefit)
The biggest issue for developing excellence in the early childhood sector is wages. There is a significant disparity between the wages of preschool and kindergarten teachers and primary school teachers with the wages and conditions of early childhood teachers in ECEC services. This makes it difficult to attract and retain teachers in the sector.
Although a stable, skilled and professional labour force is widely acknowledged as vital to ensuring high-quality ECEC, educators continue to be poorly paid for the significant work they do in educating and caring for children. While some employers are able to offer above award wages and conditions, as outlined by United Voice (the union representing educators), some qualified educators in Australia earn as little as $19.00 per hour, suffer low status in the broader community, lack fulfilling career paths and have inadequate training opportunities. Addressing educators' low wages would augment the quality reform agenda and is essential to ensuring the future viability of the sector which supports Australian families and children.
It seems that Australia faces the same challenges as we do in the U.S. when it comes to developing a strong, committed early childhood workforce. The differences lie in the education requirements and incentives for education. $19 an hour seems like a pretty good wage to me, but maybe it is low in Australia.
Learning about child care in Australia and England has been enlightening. It is interesting to see the similarities and also the ways in which things could be done better.
Wow! Yes, it does seem to be the same story different countries. It’s so unfortunate that going to an early learning center can be so costly, but very beneficial. Being able to afford childcare is just as much as a semester at a University. I hope one day something does can be in place that will alter the cost of early learning centers, or one day becomes a requirement.
ReplyDeleteBethAnn,
ReplyDeleteI see that people all over the world experiencing some of the same things that people in America are experiencing. I do not understand why teachers and educators are paid so little when it is basically them that are teaching the children to become lawyers, doctors, architects, and other prestigious positions. I feel that if educators and paid better and provided a positive work environment we will not have to worry about the turnover rate. It should be to the point where people are filling all of the position and none are available. We have to be devoted to our children and provide them with a good education. Its really sad that some children are placed in such situations that some adults cant even handle. Starting a child learning at an early age has many benefits and this is something that should be shared with every family throughout the world.
Hello BethAnn,
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely pretty much the same across the board I see in Australia. 19 an hour is actually pretty good but I believe it is still short stacking teachers. It is tough for a teacher because their jobs are more than just educating. Teachers are forced to be parents, counselors, nurses, in a nutshell, everything important pretty much to their students. No complaints at all because children look at teachers as role models. I just believe the hard work put in by teachers, especially those who come in highly qualified and are true professionals about their jobs should be waged a lot higher than 19 dollars an hour. There would be many more people trying to get into the field who could do a great job and more children would be well educated.
Hi Beth Ann,
ReplyDeleteWow, it is amazing to see how the disparity of wage compensation in the early childhood sector is very similar across the world. I agree that $19 does seem like a good wage, but I guess $19 does not compensate for the price of living in Australia. $19 in the U.S., however, would be a descent wage for early childhood education, in my opinion. Great post.
BethAnn,
ReplyDeleteIt seems to be the same story just a different country. I agree the 19$ an hour in our field, especially in the classroom did not seem bad at all. I did like the requirements for teaching that have been passed. I think having a standard is a good ideas.