Educator staff shortfall crisis

Canterbury Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour is concerned about a dire shortage of educators at Canterbury Family Day Care, amid worries children will be missing out on the education they need.
“Our statistics show that day care centres are oversubscribed, delaying education for countless children who are unable to join classrooms until the demand for educators is met,” Mayor Asfour said.
“We’d like to see our educator numbers increase by at least 25 per cent by the end of the year to meet the need.”
Canterbury Family Day Care is desperate for more educators to meet demand, particularly in Campsie, Belmore, Canterbury, Earlwood, Dulwich Hill, Hurlstone Park and Bankstown.
Educator Mi-Jin Choi says working in childcare is incredibly rewarding.
She began her career with Canterbury Family Day Care 18 years ago and claims it has been an amazing experience.
“Educating very young children is like planting seeds,” she said.
“When children are younger it is much more effective to educate and nurture them, which makes it much more rewarding, seeing children growing in the right way. It is a good way of helping children, the family and other people.”
Mi-Jin believes working in family day care, as opposed to childcare centres, is a great way for educators to see results.
“You see outcomes very quickly because you focus on each child. In family day care settings, we can plan for each child and work together with their family,” Mi-Jin says.
Anyone with the appropriate qualifications is encouraged to “put them to good use”.
“Family day care is an essential service and the sooner we can get these children in the care they need, surrounded by educators and other playmates, the better,” the Mayor said.
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