Geelong childcare services face staff battle as Covid worsens worker shortfall

Geelong council-operated childcare services are under mounting pressure from “staffing unavailability”, which forced a centre to close last week and left families in the lurch.

Insecure work along with reported poor conditions, is fuelling a staff shortage across the childcare sector, with a council-operated service forced to close last week.

It is understood the Bellarine Aquatic and Sports Centre’s (BASC) childcare services were unable to operate last week due to “staffing unavailability”.

City of Greater Geelong’s director of community life Robyn Stevens said the services resumed this week at a reduced capacity and were not expected to fully return until November 22.

“Like many other organisations, we continue to experience the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic, particularly for staff, with isolation and workplace bubble requirements and shortages as a result,” she said.

“The health and safety of our employees and the families that use our services and ensuring correct staff-to-child ratios are in place is our highest priority.”

An Australian Education Union Victoria branch spokeswoman says while pre-existing, the childcare staff shortage has worsened as a result of Covid-19. Picture: iStock

An Australian Education Union (AEU) Victoria branch spokeswoman said while pre-existing, the shortage had worsened as a result of Covid-19, with an estimated shortfall of around 30,000 workers across the country by 2023.

“The government made childcare free last year and in 2021 waived the childcare gap fees, which did not impact the government financially but it meant centres lost a portion of their income,” she said.

“We are also seeing that services are closing because they can’t get enough educators to staff the room.”

The spokeswoman said for creches and occasional care centres such as BASC, it could be particularly hard to find staff due to the insecure nature of the work.

A national campaign launched by the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA), titled Big Roles in little Lives, launched in Geelong earlier this month to encourage local teenagers to pursue the “future-proof” career.

ELACCA chief executive Elizabeth Death said the need for early childhood teachers had never been greater for Australian children and their families.

“These are roles with purpose, satisfaction and great career prospects,” she said.

“We know that young Australians, in particular, have been significantly impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, with youth unemployment rates more than double that of the general population.

“But there is a great opportunity for young people in the booming sector of early learning and care.”

Originally published as Geelong childcare services face staff battle as Covid worsens worker shortfall