The NSW Greens are standing in support of the nation’s early childhood educators as they walk off the job for fair pay in Sydney and around the country today.

Early childhood educators are professionals who play an essential role in preparing children for lifelong learning and helping support families and communities. Yet workers in early childhood education across NSW and the country are paid significantly less than primary and secondary teachers, and as much as $30,000 less than the average annual wage.

NSW Greens Early Childhood Education spokesperson Justin Field said providing early childhood educators with equal pay was essential for creating a better, fairer and more equal society.

“The Greens stand with early childhood workers in asking for recognition of the valuable work they do educating children and supporting families, and shaping our future society,” he said.

“Early learning is the foundation for happy and productive adult lives and a good society. To give every child the best possible start in life, the Government must invest in professional pay for the professional work carried out by childhood educators.

“For too long, our skilled early childhood workers have not received the respect or financial recognition they deserve for their valuable and essential work. We can’t ignore that women make up more than 97% of this workforce, which has contributed to the ongoing gender pay gap in Australia.

“As a parent with a child currently in care, I can speak of my personal gratitude for the tireless effort of educators in this sector and the importance of their work.

“The Greens support the fair pay claim and further reform of the sector is needed to support fair pay and universal access to quality early childhood education,” Mr Field said.