Helen Creed says WA way behind with Childcare
We don’t really like to hear that WA is “way behind” in anything, but Helen Creed, who spoke to members recently, knows her stuff. Helen was suggested as a guest speaker by Rotarian Liz Palmer, and it proved to be a great suggestion. They are long term friends, and Helen says she knows Liz best as “Bib”. We didn’t get to hear why!
Helen, a former social worker, came to WA from Victoria many years ago. Her work with primary school teaching assistants stimulated an interest in Childcare, and it quickly became her passion. Helen prefers to use the term Early Childhood Education (ECE), as Childcare as we know it is much more than babysitting, although the pay rates continue to be among the lowest of all workers - $27/hour is the minimum, and a minimum of $32/hour for those with a university degree. Contrast that with the minimum $33/hour for the person stopping traffic while road repairs are underway!
Kids are born ready to learn, and their brain development is stimulated by ECE. Kids who have accessed ECE have a head start when they start compulsory education at 5 or 6 years of age. It has a life-long impact.
Helen, a former Executive Director of Children and Family Services in the WA Department of Communities, which licensed child care centres, was also the first Chair of REED - Regional Early Education and Development.
Helen’s focus has always been on regional access to ECE and she is a strong advocate for REED. The only way this can be delivered in the regions is via the non-for-profit sector, as the numbers don’t stack up for business investors. The ACCC has stated that market forces have failed to meet the needs in the regions, and the Productivity Commission is a strong advocate for ECE being totally free for those on low incomes. However there is a shortage of graduates so that's another matter needing urgent attention. In fact it’s the greatest challenge. No sense in creating demand if it can’t be filled.
So to make ECE readily available in regional WA, the government has to lead the way, and fortunately Helen’s career path led her to the senior levels of the state public service.
Thanks Helen for making us wiser about Childcare and to start understanding that ECE connects care and education for our precious pre-schoolers.