Childcare professionals have always had my respect for the important work they do, the long hours and the nurtuting and educational care they provide to other people’s children in those critical early childhood years.
But I have a new appreciation for the complexities and stress associated with their profession now that I ‘walked in their shoes’ last Monday morning! This initiative is part of the childcare union (the LHMU) Big Steps campaign to improve the wages and conditions of childcare professionals.
It was two weeks into the federal election campaign and my first duty on Monday morning was to front up to Bruce Ridge Early Childcare Centre near Calvary hospital and literally, walk in the shoes of a childcare professional! I was pretty nervous, the whole thing was being videoed and I had no idea if the children would relate to me or if I would perform my duties adequately!
It’s been years since my children were in long day care, so it was a bit of deja-vu just being in a centre.
I was grateful to Alyce who explained how things worked and how the activity programs were organised. There was much more involved than I had ever realised. Everything was observed and cross-referenced, written down, reported back to parents and used to inform forward activity programming. Every activity has preparation and clean up and the logistics of morning tea, as an example, are demanding!
Alyce asked me to read a story, gratefully I noted it was a favourite. I also helped with a shaving cream painting experience! To get the full picture, the LHMU has also posted a full description about my experience on their website.
It was hard work, and the time flew by, as is the case when things are very busy. I think it was a fantastic way for the union and the members they represent to remind me, their elected representative in the federal parliament, of the value and importance of their work.
I signed a pledge which commits me to continue my advocacy for childcare professionals, including their campaign for improved wages. I am proud of federal Labor removing the TAFE Childcare Diploma fees, encouraging more recruits as well as our investment in the National Quality Framework. However, until the salaries and wages are commensurate with the skill and responsibility, they will continue to be a disincentive to holding talented professionals in the sector throughout their careers as well as attracting new people to the sector.
I look forward to following up and have invited the union to bring a delegation of childcare professionals into my workplace (hopefully I will be re-elected 
when parliament sits after the election. A big shout out to Yvette from the LHMU, Jessica from Bruce Ridge and Alyce, for their forebearance and encouragement, all the other staff and of course the children, who were terrific the whole morning!
Walking in the shoes of a Childcare professional
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As one of your supporters and former carer of your children, I am was please to read you declare your respect for the important role that the childcare profession plays in our society and the need for a greater appreciation and recognition that the workers in the industry deserve. I have now left the industry and joined the public service and no longer receive comments such as, “I thought you’d be smarter than to work in childcare”. However the fulfilment I got from looking after the health and wellbeing of families in my community does cannot compare to the work I do today. Unfortunately I had to leave as the monetary recognition was not enough to provide for my teenage children and their developing interests and talents. It is my legacy to continue to support and assist in any way I can to promote the childcare profession.
Thank god someone is supporing us! As a childcare worker i’ve had just abbout enough of people telling me I just play all day, that is the biggest understatement of the year. It’s a hard job and as a mother of a 3 year old it’s hard to juggle home work and study with the low pay rates as i also have childcare fees of my own. I would chance my job for anything ilove it and wwhen a child leaves the centre with a smile and loads of stories to tell i know i have done my job well. Thank you for taking the time to walkl in oour shoes it’s nice to know some one understands our job and your appreciation about what we do. Thanks again