Broadside - Why it’s time for a new approach to setting wages and conditions  - September 2023

Broadside

Broadside - Why it’s time for a new approach to setting wages and conditions - September 2023

The early childhood sector has undergone massive changes over the last 20 years. While demand for early educators has skyrocketed over this time, and their skills, qualifications and responsibilities have increased, wages for early childhood educators and teachers have barely budged. Basic economics tells us that when demand outstrips supply it results in an increase in the price. But the reality for early educators is very different.  

Broadside - Jobs and Skills Summit - October 22

Broadside

Broadside - Jobs and Skills Summit - October 22

The Federal Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit was held at Parliament House in Canberra on 1-2 September 2022. Its purpose was to bring together unions, employers, civil society and governments to address shared economic challenges. 

Broadside - Workforce Pulse Check Report

Broadside

Broadside - Workforce Pulse Check Report

June was a watershed moment for Australia's early childhood education and care sector. After over a decade of advocacy pushing for all children to be guaranteed access to high-quality early education, Victoria and New South Wales committed to unprecedented, sustained funding for the sector to increase all children’s access.  

Broadside - Omicron Pulse check report summary - MAR 22

Broadside

Broadside - Omicron Pulse check report summary - MAR 22

Highlighting the fragility of funding arrangements and viability in early education and care.

Broadside - Key takeouts from the ACECQA Workforce Strategy

Broadside

Broadside - Key takeouts from the ACECQA Workforce Strategy

The ACECQA Workforce Strategy Report highlights the workforce challenges the sector faces and proposes 21 actions to address them over the next ten years. We share key takeouts and what we are advocating for as the findings are implemented.

Broadside - Why Ventilation is Vital

Broadside

Broadside - Why Ventilation is Vital

With the announcement of a return to early education and care from 18 October, ventilation should be on every service's COVID safe plan. 

Broadside - CELA's Advocacy during the Delta Outbreak

Broadside

Broadside - CELA's Advocacy during the Delta Outbreak

CELA CEO Michele Carnegie shares insights into  our advocacy approach and key challenges the sector  is facing.

Broadside - CELA’s 2021-22 budget review

Broadside

Broadside - CELA’s 2021-22 budget review

CELA's 2021-2022 budget review: Here’s a brief summary of what of what you need to know, how it may impact you, and what still needs to be urgently addressed.

Broadside - NQF Review

Broadside

Broadside - NQF Review

The review of the National Quality Framework is a significant milestone in the quality journey for early childhood education and care. 

Broadside - Pulse Check - How members are faring

Broadside

Broadside - Pulse Check - How members are faring

Thanks to CELA members for your strong response to our recent survey. We were thrilled to hear from 168 of you from across the sector.

Broadside - How children are faring in their year before school

Broadside

Broadside - How children are faring in their year before school

Hundreds of thousands of children across Australia are finishing early childhood education this year. For these children it will be a very different experience to those who’ve gone before them.

Broadside - The return to CCS

Broadside

Broadside - The return to CCS

The Government has announced that the Child Care Subsidy will resume on 13 July. In this Broadside, CELA CEO Michele Carnegie and Research and Policy Manager Megan O'Connell, break down the details of the announcement, its likely effect on services, families and ongoing advocacy.

Broadside - Jobkeeper package

Broadside

Broadside - Jobkeeper package

CELA has been actively advocating to state and Commonwealth governments to ensure the viability of early childhood education and care. 

Broadside - Addressing workforce challenges - May 2019

Broadside

Broadside - Addressing workforce challenges - May 2019

Addressing the workforce challenges in early childhood education and care.

Broadside - April 2019

Broadside

Broadside - April 2019

By the age of five around 300,000 children are starting school – but more than one in five are not as prepared as their peers. 

Broadside - Autumn 2017

Broadside

Broadside - Autumn 2017

Big business taking over childcare: Councils fast-tracking development, Corporates bypass planning regulations, Big business comes to Sutherland, How will smaller services survive? And what about children? The stats that matter Quarterly wrap

Broadside - Child care subsidy - August 2019

Broadside

Broadside - Child care subsidy - August 2019

We were so pleased with the level of feedback on our sector survey regarding the Child Care Subsidy Package. Responses provided highly detailed feedback, which we have provided to the Australian Institute of Family Studies to inform their evaluation.

Broadside - ECE in the election - May 2019

Broadside

Broadside - ECE in the election - May 2019

Amplify editor Bec Lloyd and CELA CEO Michele Carnegie round up the latest policy announcements from the major political parties this week ahead of the National Early Childhood Election Forum.

Broadside - ECEC funding and advocacy

Broadside

Broadside - ECEC funding and advocacy

During this challenging and uncertain time we have been actively advocating for our members around a wide variety of funding and viability measures. 

Broadside - Federal election focus - May 2019

Broadside

Broadside - Federal election focus - May 2019

With 90% of brain development occurring in the first five years of life, quality early learning sets everyone’s foundations. If Australia fails to invest early, we pay for it later.

Broadside - Federal election pre-election week - May 2019

Broadside

Broadside - Federal election pre-election week - May 2019

In an election where early childhood education is being treated seriously, it’s even more vital to be informed and make sure your vote counts for the issues that matter to you. 

Broadside - Have your say in the NQF review - June 2019

Broadside

Broadside - Have your say in the NQF review - June 2019

If it seems to you that we just had a review of the National Quality Framework, you’re right – the process takes about three years.

Broadside - Jan/Feb 2015

Broadside

Broadside - Jan/Feb 2015

Speak Up, Who is who, Ministerial reshuffle on child care explained!, Scott Morrison’s words on ‘childcare’, Events you need to know about, Caring for children, Have you hear of Smart Start?, Economists excited about childcare, Subsidised Childcare...

Broadside - July/Aug 2015

Broadside

Broadside - July/Aug 2015

So, What Happens Now?, Ready for the Ratios, Package Needs Re-Imagining, LDC National Partnership Grants Program, Macquarie workshops, QTC Registered PD, Fees Updates, Quick Policy Updates, Funding of Community Child Care (NSW), Not Yet Meeting, Great Online Resources

Broadside - July/Aug 2016

Broadside

Broadside - July/Aug 2016

Election 2016, Calls to reconsider BBF cuts, High staff turnover “not good” for young children, FDC Rorts: Time for a new system, ECEC services keep on improving, New resources at Kids Matter, EC:Living Magazine – first edition out now...

Broadside - June 2014

Broadside

Broadside - June 2014

LDCPDP: More on PD funding, Children’s Services Central PD Handbook and Calendar, Quality Matters & Changes to the Regulations, Census: National Workforce Census released, Family Day Care, Literacy, Teaching degree anyone?

Broadside - Labor promises urgent review of bbf funding - May 2019

Broadside

Broadside - Labor promises urgent review of bbf funding - May 2019

Vicki Olds is an early childhood teacher, but lately she’s wondering why. For years she’s delivered specialised and responsive early childhood education programs to some of Australia’s most remote and vulnerable families...

Broadside - March 2019

Broadside

Broadside - March 2019

election 2019 - Placing the child at the centre of everything we do

Broadside - March/April 2015

Broadside

Broadside - March/April 2015

Thanks! We lobby you all, Minister gives unqualified support to the NQF, New promises made, Ratings, Thank you Members, NSW’s first preschool to be sold, What will the Government deliver for Aboriginal children and families?

Broadside - National early childhood election forum - May 2019

Broadside

Broadside - National early childhood election forum - May 2019

The forum held in Melbourne last week was sponsored by some of the partners behind Early Learning: Everyone Benefits – CELA, ECA-Victoria, ELAA, Goodstart, CELA, KU Children’s Services, and Playgroups Australia. CELA CEO Michele Carnegie and Research Adviser Megan O’Connell attended the event.

Broadside - New child care funding

Broadside

Broadside - New child care funding

This information is relevant to services previously funded under CCS, such as long day care, out of school hours care, family day care and occassional care. 

Broadside - Nov 2014

Broadside

Broadside - Nov 2014

Putting women in the picture, Post graduate study scholarships, Did you know about ECA Digital Business Kit?
Closing the gap at the snail’s pace, Regulatory Impact Statement on NQF Changes, Back orders of Rattler, Have you heard about iiiHub?, Can we have some of what they’re having?

Broadside - Nov/Dec 2015

Broadside

Broadside - Nov/Dec 2015

Celebrating the wins, The right skills, Changes to the sector:, Hey Minister, what’s the deal?, Looking back: So long, 2015, Giving children a voice, Calling all children’s advocates, LDC Survey, New PD Handbook out soon, SNAICC Videos, Fill your cup first, No green thumb? No worries!, The impact of No Jab, No Play

Broadside - Nov/Dec 2016

Broadside

Broadside - Nov/Dec 2016

Managing a big year of change, Season’s Greetings, Letter from the CEO, Preschools: Start Strong Update, DoE, Workshops: Grassroots Educator Consultations, News: Radical Overhaul Needed, Listening to Membership: Members speak out, Awards: And the winner is…

Broadside - NSW votes on early learning

Broadside

Broadside - NSW votes on early learning

As we’ve previously shared, the NSW election has raised early learning and OSHC issues to a higher level than we’ve seen in many years. 

Broadside - NSW budget 2019-2020

Broadside

Broadside - NSW budget 2019-2020

The NSW Budget delivered this week includes few surprises and confirms the ongoing commitment to higher investment in early childhood education announced prior to the state election and flowing on from the 2018-19 Budget.

Broadside - NSW joins Victoria with promise of 3-yo preschools

Broadside

Broadside - NSW joins Victoria with promise of 3-yo preschools

A record-breaking investment, a cautious welcome, or ‘all tip and no iceberg’? CELA CEO Michele Carnegie talks to Amplify editor Bec Lloyd about the NSW ALP announcement this week...

Broadside - Oct 2014

Broadside

Broadside - Oct 2014

Sneak Peak: PC Report and the RIS, Advocacy Masterclass Campaign, Funding, Training, PDSP Applications, Received your copy of Connections?, Early education could make our country reacher, Big news for (Victorian) preschools

Broadside - Promising OSHC the world

Broadside

Broadside - Promising OSHC the world

As recently as the last NSW election in 2015, there was an acknowledged need for 45,000 or more places in outside school hours care (OSHC, or OOSH) in both public and private schools.

Broadside - Queensland budget - June 2019

Broadside

Broadside - Queensland budget - June 2019

In the 2019-2020 Budget released on 11 June, Queensland’s Palaszczuk government has shown it values the importance of investing in the early years...

Broadside - OSHC - April 2019

Broadside

Broadside - OSHC - April 2019

With vacation care underway in many parts of Australia, and OSHC the centre of some big spending commitments at the recent NSW election, it’s timely to take a look at what’s on offer and how it might play out for educators and school communities. 

Broadside - Our voice is loud

Broadside

Broadside - Our voice is loud

This is a big year for elections and even though NSW will be voting this Saturday, the campaigning is far from over as the Australian election is expected before the end of May.

Broadside - Preschool funding

Broadside

Broadside - Preschool funding

CELA has been advocating across Australia to ensure preschools are funded in a viable manner despite reduced attendance due to COVID-19.

Broadside - Responding to COVID-19

Broadside

Broadside - Responding to COVID-19

CELA has welcomed a significant number of calls and requests for information from services across the country in relation to COVID-19.

Broadside - Sep/Oct 2015 ACT

Broadside

Broadside - Sep/Oct 2015 ACT

Time for Hope, ACT Preschool Hours Guaranteed, What we know | Regulatory Reminders, The NQF: not jabberwocky!, NQF in a Box: New, updated policies, Trained but not well enough?, Nanny anyone?, More than baby talk, Moveable equipment safety

Broadside - Sep/Oct 2016

Broadside

Broadside - Sep/Oct 2016

A new direction for preschool investment, New workforce research project, New online diversity resource, New wellbeing diary launched, ECEC subsidies across the ditch, Robbing Peter to pay Paul, More Australian children in poverty, When Irish eyes are smiling, Professional Development, New NSW child obesity inquiry

Broadside - Sept 2014

Broadside

Broadside - Sept 2014

Standing Up for Children’s Rights, Video of Preschool Funding session available, How far to the right can Australia go?, Universal Access, Congratulations graduates!, Funding News, Management committee health check-up, CCCC releases a national version of A Director’s Manual...

Broadside - April/May 2014

Broadside

Broadside - April/May 2014

Rating results, Regulation changes, Short survey, The good ship LDCPDP, News: Help make a CCCC manifesto!, IPSP Online Library, What is iiiHub?, Preschool funding

Broadside - May/June 2015

Broadside

Broadside - May/June 2015

It’s Time for Policy, What’s White, Green and read all over?, Alstonville Preschool Starts to Build, Our new Minister, Key issues for the NSW Parliament, CCCC Training Vouchers, What preschools need to know about the new preschool census, Family Matters...

Broadside - Sept/Oct 2015

Broadside

Broadside - Sept/Oct 2015

Time for Hope, Budget Estimates, Children in Detention, Nanny anyone?, New ‘childcare’ planning group, Research, The NQF: not jabberwocky, Trained… but not well enough, Did you know?, More than baby talk, Moveable equipment safety

Broadside - Jan/Feb 2016

Broadside

Broadside - Jan/Feb 2016

Duty of Care, Reconciliation Action Plan Underway!, Our Voice Heard in Canberra, 2016 Year of the Conference, New Government Reports, New Education Minister for ACT | Qualifications: The Real Story, Immunisation: LDC & FDC, Immunisation: Preschools...

Broadside - March/April 2016

Broadside

Broadside - March/April 2016

Sound & Fury, And Another Productivity Commission Inquiry, IPSP–ISS Changes: Professional Support Program – What the Changes Mean, Farewells & Thank-yous: Toodlepip, Tonia Godhard! | And goodbye Trish Brown, Election Ahead, IAS disadvantages Indigenous organisations...

Broadside - May/June 2016

Broadside

Broadside - May/June 2016

Should Alarm Bells Be Ringing?, Election Update 2016, IPSP–ISS Changes: Not with a whimper, but a bang!, ACFCs secure funding, Evidence to base education policy on, Support for Mobile Services, CCCCNSW and ELLA EC Co-Designing the Future of Professional Learning...

Broadside - Nov/Dec 2015 ACT

Broadside

Broadside - Nov/Dec 2015 ACT

Too many places, The right skills, The impact of No Jab No Play, Will we meet the goal?, Hey Minister, what’s the deal?, Looking back: So long, 2015, Giving children a voice, Calling all children’s advocates, Book in to PD in the new year, SNAICC Videos

Top Resources

Sample Job Descriptions

As an Administrative Officer, you are expected to be an active team member of a team which provides high quality early childhood education and care to children. This includes all matters relating to administrative and financial nature of the service. 

View Details

Thinking About

Talking about the quality of your education and care service is one topic that all educators and staff should be effective in communicating; whether this is with families, children, the community, management or an Authorised Officer. We need to be able to identify what quality means in our individual service and how this is reflected in the education and care we provide.

View Details

Thinking About

An essential part of the operation of any education and care setting is the development and implementation of policy for the community of children, families and staff. This document provides a broad overview of, and introduction to, the policy planning process and some initial considerations.

View Details

Guild Insurance

CELA’s insurer of choice. Protecting Australian businesses and individuals with tailored insurance products and caring personal service.