Childcare workers have a tougher time of it now than they did during the COVID-19 pandemic, one professional has revealed.
Centres will be closing down across Australia today as staff walk off the job, calling for better pay and more workers.
Ruth Harper from East West Child Care in Melbourne said she hoped most parents would support the action.
“It is now, for us, harder than it was during COVID,” Harper told Today.
“I know a number of centres in inner city Melbourne who can’t get staff. It’s been hard in rural and remote areas for a long time, (now) it’s hit the inner city.
“If you can’t get staff in Fitzroy there is a problem.”
She said paying staff a “living wage” would help the industry attract and keep workers.
“I know that early childhood educators are voting with their feet and leaving the sector,” Harper said.
“Not only does that mean that staff numbers are down, but we’re losing that knowledge and wisdom that we have there with them, and who’s going to replace them?”