Experience Now Counts Survey Results

Experience Now Counts Survey
Supports Policy Change

In the February edition of Child Care News we ran an article and survey on the Government's change in approach to the experience held by child care workers.

In brief the article talked about the Government's plan to lift the ban on child care centres employing unqualified people in 2014 and recognise the experience of long standing child care workers.

Speaking to The Australian Childcare Minister Ms Kate Ellis said, "we value the existing workforce, and need to make sure we have in place a rigorous system of recognising the skills that already exist for those who are really qualified, but not so on paper."

"We are very keen to look at maintaining the quality staff already in centres. We recognise that it is a passionate and committed workforce - the workers do it because of their dedication and their love for the children, and we don't want to be losing that."

This news was embraced by child care professionals and the results of our survey overwhelmingly support the Ministers about turn.

84 per cent of readers who responded to our survey agree that experience should count for long time child care workers while 16 percent thought all child care workers should hold a qualification.

Your comments:
'In all my years in the child care industry I have worked with both qualified and non-qualified educators. I have found that many educators with no formal qualification but plenty of experience are often better than educators who do have the qualification. We cannot afford to lose these people from the workforce; it is already hard enough to find suitable educators.'
'The certificate three is not an academically demanding course and there are measures in place to support people with different academic abilities. Learning should be a lifelong process that all early childhood professionals should pursue. Training is always valuable and can often challenge long held beliefs and attitudes toward early childhood education that may be outdated and no longer appropriate.'
'I think it is time for all child care professionals to be qualified-this can only raise the profile of the profession.'
75 per cent of our readers said they had staff members who would be impacted by the Minister's policy change while 17 per cent said they didn't; a further 8 per cent said it was too early to tell.

Your comments
'I employ 2 staff that are not qualified, but have been with me since 1996, it is good news that I will be able to keep these 2 staff members, they are a valuable asset to my child care centre.'
'I have three staff including myself (director of a 29 place centre) that have 15 to 20 years experience each. All have considered leaving child care if any sort of arduous study would be required.'
'I have three centres and was preparing to dismiss long term, very experienced staff. This change will allow the employment of competent staff, without the formal qualifications. This back down is good for the industry and the children.'
An overwhelming 79 per cent of you said the Minister's announcement would have a positive impact on the industry while 14 per cent of you said it would have a negative impact 7 per cent of readers were not sure.

Your comments:
'There has been plenty of research that shows: 1) Mature people studying gain more than just the knowledge 2) Children benefit from the best care and education, which means both experience and qualifications. Grandfathering is definitely a good bridging option, however just allowing experience, which may not have been updated for over a decade through professional development, will not provide the high quality care and education to which children have a right under both Australian law AND the International Convention of the Rights of the Child.
'Just because someone has been doing child care for a long time, it does not mean they are able to embrace the new ways of working.'
'Passionate, experienced child care workers are an invaluable asset. I know of some staff who do not want the stress of "going back to school" after a lifetime away from it. The skills these people posses would be wasted and our children would be the losers.'

To share your views about this topic with other child care professionals go to CareforKids Social