Im sure many of you have heard about Mr Rudds new childcare reform and how wonderful it is to have new standards to ensure quality care of our children. Some of the changes include a new ratio of one staff member to four children under the age of 2, with a promise of one staff member to five children for our toodlers by 2012. Also a minimum of qualification level for our staff who care for our children
Of course we want excellent care and support for our children but at what cost?
As we all know change is good, but what does all this really mean? In most childcare centres, the centre will have to make changes by employing more qualified staff, from Certificate III studying diploma, right through to a teacher trained level. This is great news i hear you say, more quality care for our children, fantastic, but at what cost?
Mr Rudds new reform is saying that these changes will happen but….
The Childcare Benefit (CCB) will NOT be able to absorb all the extra costs of new qualified staff and other centre costs, therefore fees will rise across the board for you the families.
Early childhood Australia have a campaign called “Hands up for Quality” please check out the link below and join the campaign or just update yourself with new information
http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/handsupforquality.html
I am for quality childcare, we need to protect our future in our children, our families and also our talented, dedicated staff, lets work together to provide quality for our world
Til next time, keep smiling