Childcare worker pay dispute: Why Queensland centres ‘shut down’

Brisbane childcare educators have spoken out amid a “shut down” and highlighted the key reasons why they deserve better pay, saying they could earn more working at fast food restaurants. Here’s what they’re asking for.

Brisbane childcare educators have claimed they could earn more working at McDonald’s and say they deserve to be paid the same wage as teachers.

As more than 50 childcare centres across the state “shut down” temporarily on Wednesday, industry workers have spoken out about their fight for better pay and improved working conditions.

Goodstart Early Learning Bellbird Park centre director Anne Pickels has been in the industry for nearly a decade and holds a bachelor in early education.

Ms Pickels said early childhood educators deserved to be paid at a similar level to traditional teachers.

Goodstart Bellbird Park centre director Anne Pickels, 33, with staff fighting for better pay. Picture: Liam Kidston

“We are all qualified but there is a huge difference in pay and a huge difference in community recognition,” Ms Pickels said of the difference between teachers and childcare workers.

She said a child’s development pre-schooling was integral and that the educators played a massive role the first five years.

“So much of that development is on those first five years, it’s imperative it’s done right,” she said.

“During Covid we stayed open. Schools closed by we stayed open. We showed we are essential.

“But many of us who are fully qualified could be better off working in fast food, which is really sad.”

Crystal Bishell, picking up her daughter Miah, 3, from the Goodstart Bellbird Park. The educator said workers deserved better pay and working conditions Picture: Liam Kidston

Fellow educator Crystal Bishell said the workers were willing to take any increase in pay that would improve their daily life, given the cost of living crisis.

Ms Bishell said the one-on-one components of educating children could be quite challenging.

“It’s a tiring industry. It’s hard to get up and go,” Ms Bishell said.

“Many of us are really struggling.”

United Workers Union director for early education Helen Gibbons said 50 centres across the state either fully or partly closed on Wednesday.

Ms Gibbons said the shutdown was part of a fight for reform after “decades of inaction”.

She said the industry was in crisis and that educators were leaving the sector in record numbers due to burnout, workload pressures and low pay.

Mother Kara Lologa and Talei, 2, outside Goodstart Bellbird Park. Ms Lologa said the workers had her full support. Picture: Liam Kidston

Collingwood Park mother Kara Lologa said the staff at the Bellbird Park centre had her full support.

Ms Lologa said the staff at the centre made her children feel loved.

“Just knowing how much they actually care, it takes away that mummy guilt when you leave your child behind,” Ms Lologa said.

Ms Lologa said the staff the educators deserved better treatment.

“It’s terrible. They are on the bottom of the pay scale,” she said.