06 FebELAA CEO Update 6 February 2020
Read the latest updates from ELAA CEO, David Worland, re VECTEA renegotiations, Victoria’s three-year-old kinder rollout, National Partnership Agreement on Universal Access (15 hours), and staff changes at ELAA.
Welcome to 2020 and our first eNews for the year. I hope everyone has managed to enjoy some time away during the Christmas / New Year break to refresh and recharge. Our thoughts are with any early years services affected by the recent bushfires and especially any children and families impacted by the fires or the economic, social and psychological fallout. This edition of eNews includes a couple of articles about financial and wellbeing assistance currently available to people affected by the fires.
VECTEA renegotiation
In the early part of January, we refocused on negotiations with the AEU regarding the next version of the Victorian Early Childhood Teachers and Educators Agreement (VECTEA). The process now heads into discussions with the Victorian Department of Education and Training and the Victorian Government on the questions surrounding funding changed employment conditions in the new Agreement. We will keep members updated as these discussions unfold.
Three-year-old kinder rollout
Victoria passed a huge early learning policy milestone a couple of weeks ago with the commencement of funded three-year-old kindergarten in selected regional pilot areas. As you know, the roll-out of funded three-year-old kindergarten will be extended to further regions in 2021 and then to state-wide rollout in 2022 followed by progressive scaling up to 15 funded hours a week by 2029. It’s an exciting time in the history of our sector and ELAA will be meeting with Victorian Education Minister, James Merlino, next week to talk about how we can further support early years services during the rollout.
Funding 15 hours
The Federal Budget will be upon us in a matter of a few months. ELAA is conscious that there is still no unequivocal guarantee from Federal Government that it will continue to provide (beyond 2020) the Commonwealth contribution of five hours toward the 15 hours a week of funded kindergarten currently enjoyed by children in the year before school. We have just co-signed a letter (from the AEU) to the Federal Minister for Education and Training requesting a commitment to continue this funding beyond 2020.
Staff changes
Finally, I’m am sorry to announce that our Deputy CEO, Tina Martin, has decided to resign from her role at ELAA. Since Tina joined us in early 2017 she has proved to be a capable and amiable senior leader and has left a lasting legacy in terms of our approach to advocacy and member services. On behalf of ELAA’s members and stakeholders, please join me in thanking Tina for her contribution to ELAA. No doubt Tina will continue to positively contribute to the early years sector and we wish her all the best in taking next steps in her professional career.
All the best
David Worland
CEO – ELAA
