Quotes attributable to Helen Gibbons, Director Early Education, United Workers Union:

“United Workers Union welcomes today’s announcement by the Victorian Government for a better future for early learning in Victoria.

“The fifty early learning centres committed to by the State Government mean great quality early education will be delivered on school grounds to Victorian children. These new centres will be built in Victorian areas that need them most, and run directly by the State Government – not for profit.

“Educators will be directly employed by the government, providing stable, well supported jobs for thousands of educators and a commitment to quality. This is a huge step in cutting out private profiteering in the sector, and provides a new model that other states should look to adopt to provide the best early learning outcomes for all children.

“The Government’s new workforce initiatives demonstrate that the Victorian government continues to lead the way in supporting and valuing the important role that educators play in young lives and in shaping our future.

“UWU members believe that every child deserves quality early education. By introducing legislation to protect access to 3-year-old kinder, and by forging the way in delivering fifty state-run centres, the Victorian Government is investing in children, educators and families.”

ENDS 

Media Contact: 1300 898 633, media@unitedworkers.org.au