Queensland Early Childhood Education Certified Agreement 2009: Understanding the Key Features
As a parent, you want to ensure that your child is receiving the best education possible. In Queensland, the Early Childhood Education Certified Agreement 2009 outlines the minimum standards for early childhood education, as well as the rights and responsibilities of educators and employers. In this article, we will explore the key features of this certified agreement and what it means for early childhood education in Queensland.
What is the Queensland Early Childhood Education Certified Agreement 2009?
In 2009, the Queensland Government, the Department of Education and Training, and key stakeholders in early childhood education signed the Queensland Early Childhood Education Certified Agreement (ECECA) 2009. The agreement outlines the minimum standards for early childhood education in Queensland, including wages and working conditions for educators and support staff.
The ECECA 2009 applies to all early childhood education and care services that receive funding from the Queensland Government. This includes long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, and kindergarten programs.
Key Features of the ECECA 2009
1. Wages and Salaries
The ECECA 2009 outlines minimum wages and salaries for educators and support staff in Queensland. The agreement provides for annual wage increases, which are negotiated between the Queensland Government and early childhood education stakeholders.
2. Workload and Hours of Work
The ECECA 2009 outlines maximum hours of work and ratios of educators to children. The agreement aims to ensure that educators have reasonable workloads and that children receive adequate care and attention.
3. Professional Development
The ECECA 2009 includes provisions for professional development for educators and support staff. The agreement requires that employers provide opportunities for ongoing training and development to ensure that educators are up-to-date with the latest teaching methods and techniques.
4. Leave Entitlements
The ECECA 2009 outlines leave entitlements for educators and support staff, including sick leave, annual leave, and maternity leave. The agreement also includes provisions for carer`s leave and bereavement leave.
5. Grievance Procedures
The ECECA 2009 includes grievance procedures for educators and support staff to raise concerns with their employer. The agreement sets out a process for resolving disputes that may arise between employers and employees.
Conclusion
The Queensland Early Childhood Education Certified Agreement 2009 is an important agreement that sets out the minimum standards and requirements for early childhood education in Queensland. By ensuring that educators and support staff are fairly compensated, have reasonable workloads, and have access to ongoing training and development, the ECECA 2009 aims to improve the quality of early childhood education in Queensland and provide the best possible learning opportunities for children.