Children Can’t Afford Another ABC

SUPPORT NOT-FOR-PROFIT EARLY CHILDHOOD PROVIDERS

The Federal Government should provide free early childhood education and greater subsidies to enable not-for-profit centres to fill the gaps left by ABC Learning, says Chris Watt, Federal Secretary of the Independent Education Union of Australia, the early childhood education union.

“The Federal Government has an opportunity to provide certainty for staff, children and parents of ABC Learning Centres by providing interest free loans to not-for-profit services willing to take over ABC infrastructure.

“We know the critical role that quality early childhood education plays in setting the foundations for children’s learning in later life. It is time to ensure that this opportunity is provided by not-for-profit centres.

“The current Federal Government has recognised this and committed resources. But it now needs to go further and ensure free early childhood education and assist not-for-profit organisations, many already in the industry, to fill the gaps left by ABC Learning’s demise,” said Mr Watt.

“The current situation facing staff and parents in ABC centres reflects the failure of policy of the previous Federal Government and lack of regulation.

“The Labor Government must now take responsibility to clean up this mess and ensure that early childhood education is no longer an instrument of profiteering or risky venture capitalism,” he said.

Contact:

Chris Watt

Federal Secretary Independent Education Union

Ph        (02) 6273 3107                    0419 259 143