Imminent reinforcements give hope to struggling childcare sector, but wages still an ‘enormous problem’

The number of qualified childhood educators working in Queensland has dropped below 2020 levels, following a dramatic decline in 2022.

The number of qualified early childhood teachers in Queensland dropped sharply in the past year and now sits below 2020 levels.

But those in the industry are hopeful for the year ahead, with Education Minister Grace Grace saying there are almost 2000 early childhood staff currently working towards obtaining their teacher qualifications – an increase compared to previous years.

Many took advantage of the accelerated or subsidised early education qualifications and they should start graduating and reinforcing the sector this year.

According to the Department of Education, the number of overall Queensland early education workers increased from 35,061 to 44,681 from 2018-2022.

However, after the number of qualified early childhood teachers in the state rose steadily from 2018-2021, it dropped to 3412 in 2022 – below the 2020 figure of 3494.

Tina Mackenzie has worked in the industry for 19 years. She will finish her graduate diploma in early childhood teaching mid-year. She took advantage of the government subsidy.

Tina Mackenzie with Cruz Newman, 4, Zahra Murkin, 5, and Rixon Arena, 4, at the Educating Kids Early Learning Centre in Townsville. Photo: Evan Morgan.

“It’s always been a passion of mine to be an early educator, I’m not fussed about working in a school. I always loved the early years, the kindergarten setting,” she said.

“I get a lot of feedback from parents who are teachers and they tell me what a wonderful job I do. I think that’s partly what pushed me to start my graduate diploma.”

Ms Mackenzie said she has witnessed the industry’s decline.

“It’s been over many years, it’s a struggle to find qualified teachers … with the hours, trying to book holidays, and the money side of it as well,” she said.

“But if the promises that have been made are followed through, this year will be better.”

Australian Childcare Alliance Queensland president Majella Fitzsimmons said peak bodies and private employers – which make up 90 per cent of the sector – had been working closely with the state government and universities.

“The graduate diploma delivered through universities … gives early childhood workers that next step allowing them to be recognised as an early childhood teacher under the Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority,” she said.

“We should see graduates from those programs later this year entering services as (qualified) early childhood teachers.”

Ms Fitzsimmons also said there is an ongoing push for a rule change to allow primary school teachers to transfer into early childhood education if they want a change from the classroom, rather than them potentially leaving teaching altogether.

“With the Queensland government investing in Kindy funding for eligible children, it is important there are plans in place to have enough early childhood teachers to deliver the kindergarten program,” she said.

United Workers Union early education executive director Helen Gibbons said the proportion of full-time positions remained below the national average, with many part time.

United Workers Union’s Helen Gibbons. Photo: Supplied.

“There are still enormous problems – it comes down to undervaluation of people who work in the sector, they can be paid as little as $24-$25 per hour,” she said.

“There have always been difficulties in attracting staff, but that has escalated these past few years. People have also been leaving the sector because they are not paid enough.

“We are seeing rooms close and enrolments turned away. Some parents returning to work are being told there are vacancies at centres, but not enough staff to care for the children.”

Ms Gibbons said negotiations were ongoing around changes to allow the early education sector to negotiate increased wages and improved conditions as a whole.

“There absolutely is hope on the horizon with the number of state and federal government scholarships on offer and waiving of fees to get more qualifications,” she said.

Education Minister Grace Grace said there are currently 1900 early childhood staff in Queensland working towards their teacher qualification, an increase from 1250 in 2019.

“While it’s pleasing that there are around 500 more early childhood teachers in Queensland than there were in 2018, we know the sector is working hard to attract the teachers they need,” she said.

Education Minister Grace Grace with three-year-old Gigi Caso at Lady Gowrie Love Street Child Centre in Fortitude Valley. Photo: Steve Pohlner.

“This is of course a national issue, and we are working with the Australian Government to deliver the 10-year Shaping Our Future strategy. We are also working with the sector in Queensland to develop a state specific workforce plan – the most recent roundtable took place in early December.

“The Palaszczuk Government’s record $1 billion investment in kindy is supporting good jobs and better services by providing additional funding for over 350 kindy services in regional and remote areas, where we know it can be particularly challenging to attract and retain staff.

“The $38.5 million investment will allow services to offer things like above-award wages, relocation costs and subsidised rent.”

In October, Education Minister Grace Grace announced that in 2023, about 14,000 vulnerable and disadvantaged families will get access to free kindergarten – saving about $4500 a year.

A further 26,000 families will see a reduction of between $500 and $3500 a year on kindergarten costs, depending on their circumstances.