[Greens-Media] QLD GREENS MEDIA RELEASE: Beattie should commit to childcare standards for Prep

[Qld Greens Media]

*MEDIA RELEASE*

*Monday 11^th September 2006*

*Beattie should commit to childcare standards for Prep*

The Greens are calling for Premier Beattie to commit to childcare 
standard, qualified carer to child ratios and maximum class numbers for 
Prep year.

Under Queensland’s Child Care Regulation 2003, the minimum qualified 
carer: child ratio for children of Prep year age (4 to 6 years) is 1 to 
13, with a maximum group (class) size of 25.
Greens spokesperson, Juanita Wheeler, a former licensee of a number of 
childcare centres said the Premier must commit to ensuring that children 
in Prep receive the same standard of care given to children of the same 
age in childcare.
“The Queensland Childcare Regulations specify a minimum carer: child 
ratio because that is the minimum ratio that guarantees safe, quality 
care for children aged 4 – 6 years,” Ms Wheeler said.
“For the Queensland government to acknowledge this is the minimum 
standard for childcare centres, but allow themselves to meet lesser 
standards in their own Prep classes is pure hypocrisy.”
Ms Wheeler said many parents and teachers were very concerned about the 
Beattie Government’s refusal to commit to two full time staff members 
(one teacher and one teacher aide) for each Prep class.

“A number of parents in the Mount Coot-tha electorate said they were 
voting against Labor purely on this issue,” Ms Wheeler said.
“Parents, especially those coming from a childcare environment where the 
child: staff ratios are of a higher standard are very concerned about 
how a single staff member will supervise 25 four-year olds.
“Parents from other year levels are concerned that their older children 
will lose some of their dedicated teacher aide time as principals are 
forced to re-allocate teacher aides to the Prep classes to meet the 
shortfall.
“Teachers are concerned that their dedicated non-contact planning time, 
such as during specialist lessons like music, physical education and art 
will be lost as they are compelled to act as the second staff member in 
the absence of full time teacher aides.

“The Premier must do the right thing and commit to applying Child Care 
Regulation standards for children 4-6 years to Prep classes from 2007.”


*-ENDS-*

For further information please contact:
Juanita Wheeler
Spokesperson, Queensland Greens

Mobile: 0402 487 110

-- 
www.qld.greens.org.au

State election Spokesperson. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110

Queensland Greens media spokespeople.

Climate Change and Indigenous. Drew Hutton 0428 487 110
Human Rights and Environment. Juanita Wheeler 0402 487 110
Transport and Planning. Greg George 0424 725 719

Queensland Greens campaign coordinator.
Ian Gittus 0422 542 370

Office 3846 0862
fax 3844 4654

www.qld.greens.org.au