Every parent knows the difference a great teacher makes. In community preschools across New South Wales, dedicated early childhood teachers are laying the foundations for our children’s learning, social skills, and wellbeing. Yet despite their professionalism and the importance of their work, these teachers are being left behind — underpaid, undervalued, and overworked.
It’s time for that to change.
While preschool teachers have the same qualifications as their counterparts in primary schools — often holding four-year university degrees and the same accreditation — their pay falls thousands of dollars short. The gap is so large that many passionate educators simply can’t afford to stay in the profession. Some leave for better-paid teaching roles in schools, others leave education altogether.
This isn’t just unfair — it’s bad policy. When teachers walk away, children lose the stability and continuity that make early learning so effective. Families face uncertainty as preschools struggle to fill positions, and communities lose trusted educators who are often the heart of their local centres.
Community-based preschools aren’t-for-profit. They reinvest every dollar back into quality care and education. But they are constrained by government funding formulas that fail to recognise the true cost of delivering high-quality early childhood education — particularly when it comes to fair wages.
The message from the sector is clear: pay parity matters. It’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity if we want to keep qualified teachers in early education. These teachers are shaping the next generation — helping children develop the skills, confidence and curiosity they’ll carry through life.
We know the first five years are the most crucial in a child’s development. We know quality early learning pays lifelong dividends. Yet we still expect the people doing this vital work to do it for less.
The NSW Government has shown commitment to early childhood education, but the next step must be ensuring community preschool teachers are paid on par with primary teachers. This is how we build a sustainable, high-quality system that supports every child and every family.
Valuing teachers means paying them fairly. It’s time to close the gap.
Denise McHugh is an experienced educator in Tamworth. She is Deputy President of the NSW/ACT Independent Education Union and Chair of the NSW ALP Education and Skills Committee.
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