What's the future for the childcare industry?

[onthefly]

It's about following YOUR children's interests and offering provisions which will extend your children and help them reach there full potential.

I guess for me that is caring for my child. And I draw a distinction between that and formal education at school I suspect we're all kinda saying the same thing

Melly, that's really awful! I ceratinly expect a lot more from a carer than nappy changes

[Astrid]

The emphasis on education and the wording that is being used takes the emphasis of the care that many of us are looking for. Of course we are not stupid and we do understand the levels of thought that go into what childcarers do (I have friends that teach childcare and talk frequently to carers about many child caring topics). I certainly do not think that my child will learn nothing, I expect they will learn as much as they would at home, out and about, at playgroups etc. I choose a childcare centre over FDC or just a "babysitter" for many reasons and despite the arguments given it is not for all the fancy words about education. I have never once thought of childcarers as glorified babysitters, they are a part of the "village" that helps raise my child and feel all the talk education talk makes the centre seem more like an institution as opposed to an extension of the village.

One thing I have not noticed being talked about it communication. Communicating with the parents. I don't care how many degrees in childcare someone has, if they do not listen to simple requests or discuss things with parents, then that is not good for the child, the carer or the family.

[Melly01]

Being a parent myself, I certainly understand the importance of good communication between the parents and any person working with children. It is also reinforced so much during our education, in order to really understand a baby or child, communication with their family is paramount. The parents are the most important people in the child's life, and gaining as much information as possible about the child is extremely important in order to offer a continuity of care between their home life and time spent in childcare. That also involves being able to pass on information about the child's experiences during the day to the parents.

The learning experiences that are available at childcare are not to make it feel like an institution, or I hope not. I think it is just that some people believe that the years before a child is around 7 years of age are when their brains are best able to adapt to learning new things. And, because while I am spending time with the children, and trying to make their days as enjoyable as possible, I don't think it hurts to add a little bit of learning experience in for the children to engage with. It's not like I'm making them sit and take tests, using flash cards or ticking off checklists of what they can and cannot do. When putting the day book together I was linking some of the things that the children initiated today back to the Early Years Learning Framework. It always amazes me how much even the unplanned things can be seen as a positive that has the potential to further a child's social, emotional, or physical development. And that is reflecting on what the children have done, not setting things out with the intent that they should do this, that and the other, so to speak.

I love seeing the children play together (or with me and the other people who work there), master new skills and the joy on their faces when they are able to complete something that they would like to do. Whether it is a baby clapping or a 5 year old using resources to construct something. Being around children, having the privilege to spend time with them and hopefully make their day at the centre more enjoyable is one of the best things in my life.

Another point about paperwork and learning in the early childhood area. It may be because documenting things based on learning experiences and popular theories of child care and development makes it easier for the governing bodies to regulate what is considered best practice, and what is not. Which then means that accreditation and validation is able to occur.

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[Fleur]

This thing about not being babysitters, or nappy-changers - it's not coming from here, right? I haven't seen anyone in this thread who thinks that's all there is to it. If you are getting it from people IRL, then I'm really sorry, I do think it's rude - I place a much higher value on the work my child's carers do.
Ifeel like maybe I'm not expressing myself very well. I'm going to have one more go, and then I'll leave it. So, at the risk of repeating myself...

I have my daughter in a childcare centre. I had her in FDC as well, and was extremely happy with the care she received there (and FWIW that carer was a former centre worker).
The first and foremost thing I want from any carer of my child, is care. That her needs are met, that she feels safe and loved.
Any learning, education, comes after that.

I'm not saying she can't get both; I believe she currently does.
I'm not saying I don't appreciate the work and effort that goes into her care - I do, very much.
I appreciate that her carer purchases items for the room from her own pocket, in order to give them something different to stimulate them.
I appreciate that she often stays back to finish work she couldn't get done because she was caring for children, for my child.
And all the rest...

My first two children were not in care at all, my third from the age of 2.5 - my daughter was the only one of my children to be in care from a very young age.
At the age of 4 months I was not concerned at all with her education. Only that she was happy, her needs were met, that she felt safe & loved.
That has remained my priority for her. It always will be, even when she's an adult. It is for my older children now.
It doesn't mean I'm disinterested in, or unappreciative of the effort that her carers put in. Only that her education is not my first priority for her care.

Crystalwings

I think that it's a good thing to get all staff to do cert 3 but don't really agree with the early childhood teacher when we already have 3 diplomas with over 50yrs experience between us. When that teacher comes in what is she going to provide us with that we aren't already doing???

I agree with this, it is part of my point. I don't see a need for it.

I agree the industry needs more funding. I agree that the pay is horrible (and hence at least part of the reason there's need for more government funding)

Another point about paperwork and learning in the early childhood area. It may be because documenting things based on learning experiences and popular theories of child care and development makes it easier for the governing bodies to regulate what is considered best practice, and what is not. Which then means that accreditation and validation is able to occur.

That's a really good point. And, it may be that the centre my friends were at was heavier than others on the paperwork? I don't know.

[Crystalwings]

I do understand that caring is first and foremost and that goes without saying. As a parent of a 6mth old in fdc i just wanted her to be loved and secure and her physical needs met appropriately. But this is all part of child development too and that is where babies under one are at.
I just want to clarify that nurturing and looking after the children's well being is number one before or the other stuff. There are definitely days when no paper work gets done because it's not the priority when your settling in a few new children or a staff member is away and we have a casual etc etc
I guess it's just frustrating from a CC perspective when the work we put in seems unappreciated. Not saying that this is from people in here but in general CC is one of those professions that you also have to defend but it is essential to so many people. CC is and should be a persons passion because they love working with children.

[Melly01]

I didn't mean that anyone on here had said anything about me being a university trained nappy changer, but that is the opinion I get from people, even some people who have children in care. That it seems like the general idea, it goes towards why the work of people in the industry, whatever their qualifications, is undervalued and why that is reflected in the rate of pay.

I understand it must be frustrating to have an EC teacher being brought in to do work that could just as easily be done by someone with a tafe qualification and more experience in the field. Unfortunately, I suppose it is just another government idea, I certainly don't think that anyone else in the field is less qualified to be there than me, and I strive to make sure that any person I work with feels valued for their experience. Unfortunately, I am not responsible for wages or any of that stuff, but I believe feeling valued is very important. I know I'm doing the job I do because I enjoy working with children and their families, I'm not doing it for the pay - if I were I'd still be working in retail and hating going to work every day!

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[MrsFabuloso]

I've been thinking about this thread. Some things to answer the OP,

Some things I think to reform CC (mostly long day care) it needs

More govt assistence to run and care for centres (fund them more)
More govt assistence to parents since CC is so exxy to run
Higher pay to childcare workers, in line with equally qualified and experienced professionals (eg, I am an Early childhood Teacher. I have over 15yrs of experience in childcare. But the minimum award rate of pay is around $28/hr. A friend of mine works with Sydney Ferries. He is untrained, inexperienced in the job and earns $35/hr. How is that justifiable??)
More recognition of what early childhood is and what carers do.

The recent reforms and changes to childcare are really great initiatives. Things like smaller child to carer ratios are wonderful and make the job of being a childcare worker easier, less stressful, more enjoyable and achievable and we do better quality of work. BUT, these things also come with consequences. Having smaller ratios means more staff is needed, or lesser numbers of children, meaning either more money in pay for staff (where will that come from??), and/or less money in fees for the centre (meaning less rescources to utilise). Each of these things have further consequences to the centre and staff....it's a viscious cycle.

Having higher qualified staff, again wonderful, and expensive to centres. It would probably mean more thought out interactions with children, better educated staff, better management skills, more thought into the outcomes for the familys, children and the community.

The early yrs framework is great. It needs a little work (though I haven't been working in childcare professionally fulltime for 4yrs, so further changes have probably been made) but this also comes with consequences. Centres who choose to follow this structure of care need alot of time and effort to make such changes. Alot of paper work is necessary for the framework too. Which is time teachers and other staff members need off the floor. Which means there needs to be time allocated and casual staff emplyed to fill the spot of said staff members. Again a huge cycle or change, more money time and effort.

Basically, childcare, QUALITY childcare often takes alot of money. And effort. That means extortionatly high fees, or the govt needs to step in and pay.

[Floweryfields]

There might not be any problems recruiting graduates in the city but in regional areas it will be difficult to attract staff to LDC centres because of the pay and hours. In cities there might be a glut but here it won't be easy. There are plenty of teachers i know who are super smart but lack the warmth and empathy to work with children.

Maybe i've been sheltered but in my experience private CC doesn't have to be evil. I know of several private independent CC centres in our area with fantastic equipment, high ratios have all the latest equipment, implement EYLF etc. Please don't put them all in the same basket. Corporate CC is the problem NOT private CC and there is a difference.

Absolutely those of us in CC are educators!

Absolutely!

I also agree that staffing in the city might not be an issue, but get an hour or so out and that's where your problems arise. We've advertised for weeks for a teacher and other positions and had no response!

[Floweryfields]

Just to clarify - I don't think there is a problem with children in childcare learning while they are there, no harm in it at all.

Just that IMO it should not be the foremost thing about childcare; at least for me, it's not why I am sending my child there. So to pay staff based on their education & how they can best educate my child, is not the most important thing for me. I would like to see centre staff employed for the job they do with the children & how they interact with them ITMS.

ETA - I haven't used the term 'babysitter' - I wouldn't think it accurate - but it shouldn't be underestimated either, the importance of leaving your children in the care of someone else. Just because you are leaving them in care and not specifically to be educated, absolutely does not place any lesser value on the job those carers do.

I suppose it differs from centre to centre - but my centre has a large kindy (3 yo) and pre prep (4yo) following from non working mums - who are actually looking for the educational aspect. Of course caring adn loving goes hand in hand with this and the nuturing loving part is a high focus in the littlies - but it's got to be well rounded for all ages of children. What I am trying to say is depending on the age of the children, caring or education has the priority role.

[2CheekyMonkeys]

on the pay issue... if the general public start seeing child care workers/educators as more than just 'minders' eventually the award wage will increase. if the general public come to see the educational value and aspect of child care we will be seen as more of a profession and in turn the award wage will rise. the EYLF (national curriculum) is a great step towards this, after all would we be having this discussion if not for people thinking about all the new changes that are going to be occuring in the next few years? so i guess all this 'fancy' terminology is a way to prompt people into thinking a bit more about what goes into a high quality child care program.

Also, child care workers dont even have thier own union!! we are in with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous union (i think) what does that say about the general publics opinion of child care?

in relation to the Early Childhood Teacher (bachelor qualified) over someone with many years experience and a better warmth factor (etc) ... as ausgirl said, a lot of parents are looking for an educational facility for their children for the year before prep. due to a high demand a lot of community run centres (c and k) are full early on and so some families cant access them. c and k teachers are bach qualified, registered and are paid accordingly. the goverment want all children to be able to have equal and fair access to a kindy program and so the new regs in child care are following that, therefore the bach qualified teachers in the 3-5 year room. and yes i am sure that there are many wonderful staff that may be able to implement such a program just as well if not better than these bach qualified teachers BUT the government needs to regulate it somehow... how can you reglaute based on warmth and affection etc?

as to the original topic of where will child care be in a few years time.... i really dont know LOL. but i am soo soo soo glad that at least now after so many years the goverment seem to at least WANT to take a good look at it and hopefully things will change for the better for everyone involved.

[Fleur]

Also, child care workers dont even have thier own union!! we are in with the Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous union (i think) what does that say about the general publics opinion of child care?
.

Really? Wow... something wrong there!

and yes i am sure that there are many wonderful staff that may be able to implement such a program just as well if not better than these bach qualified teachers BUT the government needs to regulate it somehow... how can you reglaute based on warmth and affection etc?

This is a probelm. As I have said , right now, this is where my main concern lies but it's such a hard thing to regulate or measure.


This has been a really interesting thread.. and I have to say that even when my focus right now is not necessarily on education for my child... I can still see the need for a change in opinions & the value that is placed on our care workers.

You know I guess I just assumed that because to me, it's a very important job - caring for MY child! - I figured everyone would realise it's important. And I'm seeing from your posts that it's not the case. So thank you all for posting, it's great to get another perspective.

[Floweryfields]

You know I guess I just assumed that because to me, it's a very important job - caring for MY child! - I figured everyone would realise it's important. And I'm seeing from your posts that it's not the case. So thank you all for posting, it's great to get another perspective.

No, not all parents think the same way that you do~ an example of how I feel the value of the carer is viewed by some parents..... a previous parent of mine who themselves had their own business that they charged $60/hour for their services frequently complained that $50 per day was too much to pay for very high quality care of their child. That may not be their intent - but to me that says what I do is worth so much more to my customers, than what you do in caring for my child. The service they offerred didn't involve the life of a human being.