IEU members have welcomed the Queensland Government’s announcement today (Wednesday, 23 February) of significant kindergarten funding reforms and more than $1 billion in investment to the early childhood education sector over five years.
IEU-QNT Branch Secretary Terry Burke said the reforms addressed many of the issues members and employers alike have been raising about the viability of the sector, including community kindergartens and long day care centres.
“Employers should now commit to a backlog of working condition and wage improvements.
“The level of funding promised for the sector over the next five years, particularly those in regional and rural areas, is significant – addressing financial viability concerns raised by employers,” Mr Burke said.
“With these financial enhancements in place from 2023, employers must commit to comparable remuneration and working conditions for qualified teachers and assistants to their colleagues working in school settings,” he said.
