Time to acknowledge early childhood teaching role

care away from “just changing velopment, they’re crucial to We need to recognise that,” Federal Early Childhood nappies” to being a critical our society,” she said. Mr Sachdev said. Education Minister, Dr Anne AAt Early childhood teachers stage in a child’s learning. Ash Sachdev, the chief Brisbane-based Prof Garvis Aly, said better recognition should be afforded the same Griffith University Professor executive of online childcare spent more than five years as a would help address workforce standing as primary and secSusanne Garvis said early search engine Care for Kids, Professor of Early Childhood shortages in the sector. ondary teachers, and childcare childhood education needed to said early childhood teachers Education at the University of “Appropriately recognising renamed to preschool, as part be aligned with other levels of were specialist educators and Gothenburg in Sweden. the early childhood education of a push to elevate the proteaching to create greater rethe old stigma of childcare She pointed to Sweden and workforce as professionals – fession and its role in student spect for the profession. should be gone. Finland as global benchmarks, not child minders – is an imdevelopment. “Early childhood teachers “Education starts at daycare where early childhood teachportant but simple step in en

Experts say it would help are involved in one of the most and kindergarten, learning ers were among the most trustsuring we elevate this vital shift perceptions about child- important times in a child’s de- starts much earlier than Prep. ed of all professionals. sector,” she said.