Play fair in childcare
Teachers in long day care have been neglected for too long by employers, with pay and conditions in many services well below those of other educators. The AEU is campaigning for a fair deal for teachers in the sector. We know that pay and conditions deter many student teachers from choosing to work in early childhood over primary.
Negotiations with Goodstart: Vote No
Early childhood teachers are urged to vote No in a ballot for a new agreement at childcare provider Goodstart.
Negotiations in January and February failed to budge Goodstart from proposals that leave teachers in the centres considerably behind their colleagues in council and community-run preschools, with lower wages, less holiday and less preparation time.
The proposed agreement is supported by the union representing non-teaching staff. The AEU had advocated for a teacher-only agreement and has warned Goodstart it will face major recruitment problems when new regulatory requirements to provide a teacher in every service come into force in 2014.
Goodstart owns much of the former ABC childcare chain, employing 15,000 staff. During negotiations, it acknowledged the challenges it faces in recruiting and retaining teachers in its centres and is aware of the need to ensure it can meet the workforce challenges brought about by the 2013 Universal Access provisions in relation to teachers in its services. However, it has failed to recognise the serious steps it needs to take if it is to employ and retain teachers in the numbers required to meet the COAG reform agenda.
Under the proposed agreement teachers would receive just two hours' planning time per week compared to 12.5 in preschools, four weeks' annual leave, no paid maternity leave and only four hours' PD per year. Pay rises would be 3.8% a year for three years (paid in 2013, 2014 and 2015) — leaving significant gaps with the community preschool VECTA agreement, and its successor which is up for renegotiation this year. However, the AEU would for the first time be entitled to six union reps.
Childcare centres that offer VECTAA
Over 70 childcare centres employ their teachers under VECTAA pay and conditions. These centres are formally respondent to VECTAA – this means that by law they must employ their teacher under the full set of terms and conditions. Find the list here.
Other childcare providers are also realising the importance of employing early childhood teachers under professional pay and conditions. These centres offer full VECTAA conditions through a contract of employment. Find the list here. Centres seeking inclusion on this list can contact Martel Menz 9417 2822 or email martel.menz@aeuvic.asn.au.
Summary findings of our Teachers in Childcare Survey
Most respondents were employed under the Educational Services (Teachers) Award, or a contract of employment. Only a few teachers were employed under VECTAA.
The average rate of pay is $27.49 – this is comparable to the wage of a first year teacher under VECTAA, despite many of these teachers having numerous years of teaching experience.
Most respondents received 4 weeks annual leave, 10 days sick leave, and no paid maternity leave. Teachers in childcare have minimal planning time — 2–7 hours per week — and limited time to attend professional development; most PD is completed during unpaid time.
On the whole, these teachers feel disillusioned about working in childcare. Whilst they enjoy their work with children, families and colleagues, the poor working conditions are leaving many to question their future in this part of the sector. Many are eager to leave and move to stand-alone kindergarten or primary school settings.
Why we are campaigning
Teachers in long day care services need exactly the same training and qualifications as other early childhood teachers — yet many are paid only award rates compared to teachers in council and community services who are paid under the agreements won by the AEU.
Awards set out only minimum entitlements for a sector; agreements are negotiated by unions on behalf of members and over the years have won for the early childhood sector many of the pay and benefits enjoyed by school teachers.
We receive many phone calls and emails from members in long day care, working long hours with few benefits and low pay. All teachers deserve the same pay and conditions. It's time to seek recognition for teachers in long day care.
Key differences
The differences between award entitlements and our agreements are startling. Here are some of the key differences:
Starting salary (four-year qualified teacher)
Agreements: $55,459
Award: $40,201
Top of the scale salary
Agreements: $81,806 (in May 2012)
Award: $53,493
Preparation and planning time
Agreements: 12.5 hours per week
Award: Two hours per week
Annual leave
Agreements: 11.4 weeks per year (same as school holidays)
Award: Four weeks per year
Personal leave
Agreements: 15 days per year
Award: 10 days per year
Paid maternity leave
Agreements: 32 weeks — 14 weeks full pay plus federal parental leave (18 weeks minimum wage)
Awards: 18 weeks minimum wage only
What can you do?
Here are ways you can help the campaign:
- Join the AEU — together we can win a better deal. Talk to your colleagues about joining too.
- Check your conditions — we can help you negotiate a better deal. Speak to an officer in our membership services unit on 9417 2822.
