The United Services Union has lodged a submission to the NSW Parliamentary Inquiry into the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) sector, backing a bold call for universal, publicly funded access to early learning.
Council-run services lead the way
The submission highlights the essential role of council-run ECEC services, which consistently outperform private providers in meeting national quality standards. Your Unions proposal argues that local government should form the backbone of a universal system, guaranteeing every child aged 0–5 five days per week of quality education and care, regardless of income or postcode.
International models in Sweden and Norway demonstrate the success of such systems, where access is guaranteed by law, and fees are capped or eliminated. The USU’s submission also details the significant pay disparities faced by educators, with Certificate III and Diploma staff earning up to $25,000–$30,000 less per year depending on their council. Educators also report being required to take on responsibilities such as acting as “Responsible Person” or “Educational Leader” without fair remuneration.
Union calls for fairness and reform
To address these issues, your Union is calling for:
- Fair pay and secure conditions for educators, cooks and administrators.
- Increased and ongoing State and Federal funding to expand high-quality services.
- A tripartite taskforce of councils, governments and unions to implement reforms.
- Dedicated funding for local government services, recognising their vital role in communities.
- Equity and inclusion guarantees so all children, including those with disability, can access services.
This is about fairness for families, fairness for workers, and building the strongest possible foundation for every child in NSW.
