Working together to prioritise families with young children - ACA congratulates Prime Minister Albanese

The following text is lifted from an ACA Media Release - Monday 23rd May 2022:

Australia’s peak body for private long day early learning services, the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) extends its congratulations the Hon Anthony Albanese MP on becoming the 31st Prime Minister.

“This election underscored that accessibility and affordability of early learning (childcare) is an issue that impacts a significant number of Australian families, and in particular working mothers” ACA President, Mr Paul Mondo said.

ACA commends the Australian Labor Party (ALP) for its commitment to adopt all of ACA’s policy recommendations including equitable access to affordable early learning services – the new Government’s signature election promise.

“Clearly, families will be the biggest beneficiaries when the new Labor Government implements its increased affordability measures,” Mr Mondo said.

However, as more working mothers, in particular, are able to return to the workforce and increase the days their child attends an Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC), there are concerns that the critical shortage of educators will intensify.

“Workforce pressures continue to be the most critical issue, with service providers struggling to find suitable educators,” Mr Mondo said. “Without educators, some families may not be able to access their early learning service as the provider struggles to employ enough suitably qualified educators and teachers.”

“The last two years have already proven to be extremely challenging for our families and our members, but the pandemic has underscored how vital the early learning sector is to the national economy.

We are now turning our attention to a very bright future,” Mr Mondo said. “With a new Australian Government as our partner, our aim is to achieve our vision – a future where every child in Australia has access to high quality, affordable and sustainable early learning services.”

“We congratulate Prime Minister Albanese and look forward to working with the new government to implement their promised election policies and ensure that every child in Australia has the best start in life, regardless of their parents’ circumstances or where they live.”

For media enquiries:

ACA President, Paul Mondo 0411 587 170

ACA Vice President, Nesha Hutchinson 0412 085 068