Sunshine Coast childcare centres part of ongoing pay dispute rally

A mum at a major Sunshine Coast childcare centre has questioned where her fees are going if not to frontline staff as an ongoing pay dispute with the government boils over.

Three major Sunshine Coast childcare centres were among a group of facilities in the midst of an ongoing pay dispute and crippling staff shortages.

Goodstart Buderim, Goodstart Baringa and Goodstart Kawana were among more than 50 child care centres across Queensland named by the union as taking part in a nationwide protest on September 7.

Approximately 70,000 Australian families were estimated to be affected.

But a Goodstart spokeswoman said the Sunshine Coast centres had remained open and fully staffed for the day, given the commitment they had to their families.

Parent Lisa Whitehead, who collected her son from Goodstart Baringa, was lucky to be granted an early finish from work, though she still had to watch her son for the remainder of her work day.

“I didn’t have any holidays left over to just take a day off,” she said.

Lisa Whitehead, parent at Goodstart Baringa.

She said she supported the centres in their protest, but was confused as to where her childcare fees were going if not to support the educators.

“I don’t know what they get paid, I’m guessing it’s minimum wage … (but) you know, they’re doing an important job,” she said.

United Workers Union Early Education Director Helen Gibbons said in a statement on September 7 early education facilities across the country were struggling with staff shortages which had affected quality of care.

The shortages also meant children were being turned away from centres.

“Taxpayers are not getting what we pay for,” Ms Gibbons said.

“Many children are not getting the best possible early learning environment and parents are often not able to find appropriate care.”

Helen Gibbons Executive Director – Early Education United Workers Union. Supplied

The United Workers Union reported 18 per cent of early education centres across the country were running with a staffing waiver due to the shortage, while 12 per cent of long daycare centres were failing to meet minimum standards.

United Workers Union members have called on the federal government to “give (them) a reason to stay” and to increase educators’ pay, recognise the importance of early learning mirrors that of schools and to “put children before profit”, Ms Gibbons said.

“Early childhood educators perform a vital role in our society and have the respect of the parents and families they support. It’s time for the federal government to respect educators too.”

Goodstart Baringa, Goodstart Buderim and Goodstart Kawana all declined to comment on the situation.

One worker at Goodstart Buderim was seen crying outside the centre on Wednesday, comforted by a co-worker.