As early childhood educators in Australia prepare for the Charles Sturt University Early Childhood Voices 2024 (ECV2024) Conference later this month, a new government report raises urgent concerns about future workforce shortages.
The report, titled The Future of the Early Childhood Education Profession, was commissioned by the Australian Government through Jobs and Skills Australia. It highlights the current needs and capacity of the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector.
Dr. Belinda Downey, a lecturer in education at Charles Sturt University, explained that the report contains 28 findings and 41 recommendations. It emphasizes that the regulatory framework for early childhood education aims to ensure high-quality care, with the National Quality Framework (NQF) setting essential standards for children’s safety and learning.
Despite these efforts, Dr. Downey noted that many stakeholders reported significant workforce strain and retention issues. She stated, “This is worsened by high recruitment activity due to rising demand for services.”
Dr. Downey further explained that educator turnover affects service delivery and increases pressure on remaining staff, ultimately impacting the quality of education. “While regulations are necessary, they contribute to supply pressures. Funding constraints, rising service demand, and a tight labor market are also factors in current workforce challenges,” she said.
She highlighted that ECEC educators face a higher risk of burnout compared to other professions, and the sector experiences relatively high rates of work-related injuries, which can lead to further attrition.
These pressing issues will be central to the discussions at ECV2024, featuring two keynote presentations:
“Embracing Systems Thinking to Open Conditions of Possibility for the Early Childhood Education Workforce” by Dr. Tamara Cumming from Macquarie University.
“Developing and Retaining a Workforce for High-Quality Early Childhood Education and Care” by Dr. Elizabeth Shuey from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
The ECV2024 conference is free and will be held online from November 25 to 28. Registrations are available on the conference website. The event is also relevant for current and prospective students enrolled in the Bachelor of Education (Birth to 5 Years) and the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood and Primary) programs at Charles Sturt University.
Organized by the Charles Sturt University Early Childhood Interdisciplinary Research Group, ECV2024 aims to provide a platform for sharing research in a virtual space.
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