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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Media Releases
2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200804 Jun 2010 - First National Census for the Early Childhood Workforce
THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
MINISTER FOR EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION,
CHILD CARE AND YOUTH
MEDIA RELEASE
4 June 2010
First national census for the early childhood workforce
The Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care, Kate Ellis, today announced the first national census of Australia's child care services, preschools and kindergartens will commence this week.
The National Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce Census is being conducted in partnership with state and territory governments and will collect workforce information from preschool and kindergarten providers, child care services and individual staff.
"For the first time we will have comprehensive and nationally consistent information about the early childhood workforce," Ms Ellis said.
"The results will help us to better understand and support the early childhood sector and ensure we provide high quality services that give all children the best possible start in life."
Census participants will be asked to provide details on staff roles, qualifications, pay and conditions, employment status and access to preschool programs. The census will also seek information from child care services about usage and children with additional needs in care.
The information will inform workforce planning for the early childhood sector, particularly the Early Years Development Workforce Strategy. The strategy will support recruitment, retention, career pathways and the growth of qualifications for those working with children.
"This Government is firmly committed to high quality early childhood education and care and we are working hand in hand with early childhood educators and carers to deliver on that commitment," Ms Ellis said.
"That's why we're implementing a National Quality Framework to ensure all Australian children have access to the quality early learning and care experiences they need to set them on the path to a bright future."
The National Quality Framework will deliver a higher standard of care for children in the critical areas of education, health and safety and will provide clear and comprehensive information for families through a quality rating system so that they can choose the best service for their child.
Commonwealth early childhood education and child care funding has more than doubled in the last five years, increasing from $1.7 billion in 2004-05 to $3.7 billion in 2008-09 and is expected to further increase to $4.4 billion in 2012-13.
Over the next four years, the Government is investing $14.4 billion to help Australian families with the cost of child care $8 billion more than the investment during the last four years of the Howard Government.
More information about the National Workforce Census is available at www.deewr.gov.au/EarlyChildhood
Minister Ellis' media contact: Shannon Rees (0488 293 949)
DEEWR Media: media@deewr.gov.au Non-media queries: 1300 363 079