Toowoomba early education centres involved in national childcare shutdown by United Workers Union

Several Toowoomba childcare centres will be impacted by a national movement urging for reforms within the sector by the Federal Government. Here’s why.

Several Toowoomba childcare centres will be closed or have their hours affected on Wednesday as part of a national shutdown to push for reforms within the early education sector.

Organiser the United Workers Union has confirmed as many as 10 centres across the Garden City will be affected by the shutdown, with rallies to be held in all capital cities.

Early education director at the UWU Helen Gibbons said the union was calling for action to curb massive staffing shortages, conditions and business models within the industry.

“Today’s nationwide action shows United Workers Union members are committed to fighting for reform,” she said in a statement.

“After nearly a decade of inaction from the previous government, the early education sector is in crisis.

“There are thousands of staff vacancies across the country and centres are turning away children because they don’t have enough staff.”

The UWU said 98 per cent of educators surveyed felt staffing shortages were affecting the quality of care, while one in 10 centres (1750) failed to meet minimum national standards.

Ms Gibbons said nearly 70 per cent of centres were profit-motivated, which she said was impacting on the quality of care.

“This all means that taxpayers are not getting what we pay for,” she said.

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

“The new Federal Government must urgently take concrete steps to address the workforce crisis in early education and reform the sector.”

Originally published as Toowoomba early education centres involved in national childcare shutdown by United Workers Union