Too much love never spoils children. Children become spoiled when we substitute presents for presence.
-Anthony Witham
The Australian government recently acted upon a "Big Steps Campaign" led by early childhood educators and announced the establishment of a Pay Equity Unit to investigate the lifting of wages across the early childhood education and care sector. The legislation provided $300 million to fund professional wages in the sector.
Leading the charge for this legislation was the Minister for Early Childhood and Childcare, Kate Ellis, from Adelaide, Australia. Ellis defended the action in a
speech to the Australian Parliament in the face of comments from opponents in Parliament that early childhood educators are "dimwits" and that those campaigning to be valued and paid fairly were "chasing the dollar and should do it for the love of children."
Contributed by Sandy Chadwick, Knowledge Universe, Singapore
The Beginnings Workshop Book Professionalism contains insightful articles on Being Teachers, Professionalism, Caregiver Health & Safety, Mentoring, Observing Children, Collaboration and Child Care in Unique Environments. This book can be ordered individually or as part of the discounted set of 9 Beginnings Workshop Books.
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Comments (3)
Displaying All 3 CommentsUnited States
That "love" doesn't pay the bills. When a teacher's basic needs can't be met due to low wages, how can they in return give quality care for OUR children?
CSBC
United States
So, when will somebody in government lead this fight in America? We are not a profession and cannot claim to be one until teachers and caregivers receive adequate pay and benefits (at least equivalent to that of k-12 teachers).
Spirit Child Yoga and ECE
Aurora, ON, Canada
The "dimwits" are really those Australians with the sexist attitudes; likely the same ones who continually hurled horrid remarks at former Prime Minister Juila Gillard.
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