Returning to one of the day’s main stories now, which is the $189 million trial of security cameras at childcare facilities across the country.
That package was announced after federal, state and territory education ministers met in Sydney this morning, and now early educators have welcomed the news that safer staffing levels will also be considered.
Jason Clare with state education ministers during a press conference on Friday.Credit: Kate Geraghty
United Workers Union early education director Carolyn Smith said: “Educators will broadly welcome moves at state and federal levels to improve co-ordination across jurisdictions, introduce a mandatory register, bring in national safety training and tighten regulations around child safety.
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“However, they see understaffing as a fundamental issue that needs to be addressed in any reforms to the sector. In this light, we note the announcement of a CCTV trial. We will continue to flag our concerns around the cost and risks of a CCTV rollout coming at the expense of sensible staffing decisions.”
Other nationally agreed measures include banning mobile phones in centres from September, mandatory national child safety training for all workers and an extra 1600 spot visits by the federal education department.
Ministers also agreed to begin work immediately on a national register of educators. A pilot will launch in December before the full rollout from February.
“It is great news that education ministers have asked the Early Childhood Regulator to examine ratios, which should include examining a staffing loophole used by providers called the ‘under the roof’ ratio,” Smith said.
“This loophole needs to be closed to address very real concerns about children’s wellbeing and safety.”
With AAP