Anonymous #388

Submitter information

Name

Anonymous #388

Where are you located?

Queensland

What type of area do you live in?

Metropolitan

Are you an education professional?
(e.g. teacher, school leader, learning support assistant, teacher’s aide)

Yes

Which sector do you work in?

Early childhood education and care

What is your occupation?

Centre Director (ECEC)

Elevating the profession

The actions proposed recognise the value teachers bring to students, communities and the economy.

Somewhat agree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

This is lovely but will this add additional pressure of teachers?

Also, the recognition for ECEC teachers within the Department of Education system. They are currently recognized in a different sector and this is a deterrent to many teachers joining the ECEC.

My great grandparents were teachers from 1920's through to the late 1970's. My grandfather was a school principle. His role was of a community leader, equal to the local Mayor. He taught in inner Sydney suburb. This level of respect for our current teaching workforce need to be there to attract talent back to the profession. This not only needs to come from not only the department, but the media and the culture created around education.

the pandemic highlighted the views of the department and Government, Education Facilities - in particular the ECEC were seen as child minding services - getting Essential Workers back into the workforce to ensure the economy doesn't collapse, rather then providing our children's with essential education and support so we don't have an entire generation of children's missing parts of their education.

Finally, these changes are all well and good but if the publicity of these changes are not wide spread, this will all be for naught.

Improving teacher supply

The actions proposed will be effective in increasing the number of students entering ITE, number of students completing ITE and the number of teachers staying in and/or returning to the profession.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

I feel there needs to be more done around wages and conditions - particularly for student teachers.

Many ECEC teachers are working and studying to support families and contribute to household expenses. Yet, they are required to complete 500 hours in a place outside their work place - free of charge.

Personally, this is the main reason I have chosen to do a Business degree not an Education Degree.

Strengthening Initial Teacher Education (ITE)

The actions proposed will ensure initial teacher education supports teacher supply and quality.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

A national agreement to no longer deliver early childhood degrees that are not recognised or qualify the graduate for teacher registration

Many ECEC teachers are working and studying to support families and contribute to household expenses. Yet, they are required to complete 500 hours in a place outside their work place.

Maximising the time to teach

The actions proposed will improve retention and free up teachers to focus on teaching and collaboration.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Providing early childhood teachers (and educators) with student-free days for professional development, just like school teachers, by allowing providers to claim CCS and waive gap fees for families.

The privatization of the ECEC sector and no public ECEC Kindergarten/Preschool programs available means ECEC teachers are no considered part the Education Department and do not have the same condition. Therefore making ECEC teaching unattractive.

Better understanding future teacher workforce needs

How effective are the proposed actions in better understanding future teacher workforce needs, including the number of teachers required?

Slightly effective

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Opportunities for connections, mentoring and communities of teachers that support and strengthen teachers in their professionalism are critical for growth and sustainability of the profession.

Develop and publish nationally consistent teacher workforce projections MUST include ECEC. Education is 0 to year 12.

Better career pathways to support and retain teachers in the profession

The proposed actions will improve career pathways, including through streamlining the process for Highly Accomplished and Lead Teacher (HALT) accreditation, and providing better professional support for teachers to retain them in the profession.

Somewhat disagree

Would you like to provide feedback about these actions?

Opportunities for connections, mentoring and communities of teachers that support and strengthen teachers in their professionalism are critical for growth and sustainability of the profession.

National teacher registration to enable all Early Childhood Teachers to be registered.

ECEC to be seen as a viable age range with universities advocating for 0 to 5 and not looking down on this age group. There is a culture of "ECEC are not real teachers. You're not a real teacher unless you are in a school".