Members Identify Concerns with National Early Childhood Law
IEUA members have identified significant concerns regarding the implementation of the Education and Care Services National Law (Queensland) Act 2011 which was recently passed by Queensland Parliament. This legislation changes the standards which must be met by the more than 2600 early childhood services in Queensland from 1 January 2012.
This legislation introduces the new National Quality Framework which will apply to long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, pre-prep and kindergarten services and replaces Queensland’s Child Care Act 2002 and Child Care Regulation 2003.
The National Quality Framework will involve significant time impositions for employees in kindergartens, particularly Directors. The new legislation introduces new nomenclature regarding positions in kindergarten. The position of ‘nominated supervisor’ is an example.
The nominated supervisor will be responsible for the day to day running of a kindergarten. Some of the specific responsibilities of a nominated supervisor are unrealistic.
In evidence given to a Parliamentary Committee late last year IEUA Senior Industrial Officer John Spriggs identified a number of unreasonable requirements imposed on the employee who will be the nominated supervisor. However, these submissions appear to have been ignored.
The legislation also introduces a new quality rating system for early childhood services and requires enhanced qualifications.
The IEUA will continue to identify member concerns and seek remedial action.
facebook
twitter