Welcome to the first 1:4 Make it Law Newsletter
This fortnightly newsletter will provide supporters of better ratios for babies with up to date information about the 1:4 campaign. You will find in this and future newsletters relevant information to assist you to support your advocacy attempts in relation to ratios for babies. To support us in getting the message to childcare professionals, families, MP’s, policy makers and community members we ask that you print, forward and distribute this newsletter to as many people as possible. Collectively we believe that we can make a difference for babies whilst improving the working conditions for childcare professionals.
What do we know about better ratios?
Ratios of at least 1 adult to 4 children for children aged from birth to two years have been linked with:
- better intellectual development of children
- positive long-term benefits for children
- more positive interactions between staff and individual children
- better social development of children
The NSW Children’s Services Regulation (2004) for centre based or
mobile children’s services suggest a ratio of 1:5 for children aged
from birth to two years. Leading world expert Ron Lally calls this a "ratio
for neglect".
What can you do right now?
Did you know a petition has been circulated in support of better ratios for babies? The petition was mailed to each childcare centre in NSW.
Question: What can you do to assist in this campaign?
Answer: Its simple, the more signatures we receive the
greater the likelihood of change in the ratios. So get cracking, convince
people that babies deserve better ratios and one easy way they can support
this is by signing the petition. If you don’t have the petition
its easy to get one. You can download a copy of the petition at www.ccccnsw.org.au/ratios/pages/do.html
The closing date is the 14th of September so we need your support immediately.
We have a history of success
When the regulations were up for review in 2004 childcare
professionals were passionate about having their voices
heard. In order to do this a rally was organised in Sydney. On the day
over 700 people attended. For those who attended, the buzz of hitting
the street for the rally has been one of the political highlights of their
careers. So what came of the rally? Following the success of our rally,
the NSW Department of Community Services established a reference group
to further explore the impact and benefits of a 1 to 4 ratio. You can
downloaded the taskforce report at www.ccccnsw.org.au/ratios/pages/taskforce.html
Quick facts
The Regulations are administered by the NSW Department of Community Services.
The Minister for Community Services is Kevin Greene MP. Kevin Greene is the State member for Oatley in NSW.
The current Regulations will expire in 2009. This means that a review of the existing regulations may take place some time next year.
Get those diaries out
We are launching the 1 to 4 campaign on Wednesday 24 October at 10.30am at Mia Mia Child and Family Study Centre Macquarie University Ryde. More information regarding this launch will be in the next 1:4 newsletter.