Submissions sought in review of qualifications of child care staff

Queensland parents, carers and child care professionals can have their say on the current qualification levels of child care staff.

The Minister for Communities, Warren Pitt, said the Child Care Act 2002 required directors, group leaders and assistants in child care centres, as well as coordinators of family day care schemes, to hold specific qualifications.

“The purpose of this review is to determine whether the qualification requirements are meeting the needs of the child care sector and the families who use child care centres,” Mr Pitt said.

“It will also aim to assess whether the requirement for qualifications actually enhances the quality of child care services across the state.

“This is an important review that will determine whether we need to change the current legislation in order to improve the level and standard of care provided to children.

“I urge everyone to have their say by participating in the consultation,” he said.

Since 2001, the Department of Communities and the Department of Education, Training and the Arts, have implemented the Child Care Training Plan to help child care workers access affordable training to meet the qualification requirements.

The training plan was recently replaced with the Children’s Services Skilling Plan 2006 -2009 to further assist child services staff to gain appropriate qualification.

To date, more than 2700 child care staff, including apprentices and trainees, have completed their qualification under the training plan. This includes more than 90 Indigenous child care workers.

A consultation paper is available to download at www.communities.qld.gov.au while online feedback can be submitted directly to www.getinvolved.qld.gov.au. Submissions close at 5pm Wednesday 28 February 2007.

Media contact: Joe Begley 3235 4286