Page 1814 - Week 05 - Wednesday, 2 May 2012
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MS BURCH: The ACT government signed up to the national quality framework back in 2009, as did all other states and territories, in recognition of the value of having nationally consistent standards. Despite the challenges that the standards may present to the sector, we know that our education and care services are on board with the national quality framework.
We know that the ACT childcare sector is well placed to transition to the new reforms and, indeed, with respect to the new ratios, we have had a very smooth transition. More than half of the centres in the ACT have already met those new ratios for the under-2s last year at all centres. As we have stated here before, the over-2s were already meeting the new requirements.
From the work that has been done by Community Services in the past 12 months to ascertain the effect of these reforms on the cost of childcare, we also know that there has been minimal impact on Canberra families. While much of this can be attributed to the capacity of the ACT childcare sector, the government’s investment and the willingness to listen to the sector should be recognised.
Last year, the Community Services Directorate offered $250,000 worth of grants to community-based organisations for education and care services. The purpose of these grants was to support the services to upgrade their facilities to meet or exceed the requirements of the national quality framework. Twenty-five education and care services applied for grants of up to $10,000, and all 25 services were successful in receiving those grants for projects such as bathroom and playroom refurbishments, shade sails and extensions to outdoor play areas. Through these grants, the successful services were able to maintain or increase their places.
We are also investing in the Franklin early childhood school which will incorporate 120 centre places and $7.5 million has been put aside to commence work at Holder.
MS PORTER: A supplementary.
MR SPEAKER: Yes, Ms Porter.
MS PORTER: Minister, how will the ACT government continue to support the implementation of the national quality framework and, in particular, the growth of Canberra’s childcare sector?
MS BURCH: I thank Ms Porter for her interest in childcare. The ACT Labor government recognises that there is work to be done. On top of the work we have already done, we will work hand in hand with the sector as we move through these changes.
We have supported the sector through the ACT Children’s Services Forum to develop an education and care workforce strategy. This strategy, which will be released later this month, identifies four main goals: attract new educators to the sector; retain existing educators in the sector; develop and upskill the workforce, including through qualifications; and raise the profile of the sector in the ACT community.
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