ACA Queensland President’s Report

2023 has started where 2022 finished off for the ACA Qld Committee and team, working hard in advocating with Government, key stakeholders and connecting with members to provide a high-quality service. With the introduction of the Cheaper Child Care Bill; the Secure Jobs, Better Pay Bill; the ACCC Price Inquiry and the ongoing workforce shortages, ACA Qld will continue to work hard to assist members to navigate the challenges ahead.

In January the Committee held a two-day strategy and planning meeting to review the achievements of 2022 and to look forward and plan what needs to be achieved in 2023. The Committee is eager to continue their good work in advocating to Government and other key stakeholders to ensure we find solutions to the continuing problems around workforce shortages and other issues affecting our member services.

ACA Qld Vice President Jae Fraser, CEO Paul Graham and I will have another busy year working with the ACA National Working Group to support the advocacy efforts at a national level. With COVID now less extreme, the National Working Group are planning more regular face to face meetings this year to ensure effective dialogue and structured advocacy efforts are achieved.

ACA Qld is working with the Queensland Department of Education to provide support to Approved Providers of individual and small groups of services with the implementation of the Kindy for All 2023 program. ACA Qld Committee member Brent Stokes, Jae Fraser, and I have been supporting Approved Providers to understand the new funding by holding face to face information sessions, webinars, meetings, telephone and email support. This has been a great opportunity to connect with Approved Providers across the sector and to provide the support that ACA Qld strive to provide to the sector. Paul has been connecting with members through sector briefings and structured training during February which have been positively received by members. We are looking forward to rolling out further training opportunities throughout the year. If there are any professional development needs your educators have, please don’t hesitate to jot down your ideas in an email to the office.

ACA Qld’s RTO, CAECE continues to provide high quality accredited training to the teams of our member Approved Providers. The CAECE team expect another very busy year with enrolments continuing to be strong and more members taking advantage of utilising the support CAECE can provide.

Finally, a sense of anticipation is starting to fill the air with our members as the ACA Qld National Conference fast approaches. The theme this year is ‘Early Education… it lasts a lifetime’ and the event is being held at The Star Gold Coast from 16 to 18 June 2023. Registrations are coming in fast! Please don’t miss out on the early bird pricing which ends on 31 March 2023. This year our conference gala dinner theme is ‘Garden Party’ and we can’t wait to see the spectacular costumes on show again.

Majella Fitzsimmons ACA Qld President