Laurel Walker and Vanna Lockwood, teachers at St Peters Community Preschool, are involved in the Independent Education Union's campaign for pay parity for early childhood teachers.
Lockwood told Green Left Weekly: "Current scientific research on the development of the brain advocates the importance of a child's early years. Four-year university trained teachers are choosing not to work in early childhood because of the low pay and low status of the profession.
“Some teachers choose to stay in early childhood to teaching because they are passionate about the work. But many people choose to work in primary school where you can earn up to 20% more, making it much easier to pay off HECS debts and to pay bills.”
Walker said: "COAG (the Coalition of Australian Governments) are committed to ensuring that every 4-yr old receives 15 hours of early childhood education from university trained teachers.
“So the government recognises the value of education at this stage of life. Our campaign is calling on the government to fund the pay parity so that the burden does not fall on families."
For more information on the campaign visit Teachersareteachers.org.au