Melissa McIntosh (Lindsay, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Today is Early Childhood Educators Day and, with 90 childcare centres across Lindsay, I want to take the time to acknowledge the hard work our teachers and childhood educators put in with our children every single day. At the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic, I had a teleconference with childcare operators in Lindsay and the secretary of the department of education. We talked through the problems and concerns that they were having in coming up with local solutions, and I want to thank them for sticking by our families and our community during that time.

One childcare centre I have visited recently is Explore & Develop in Glenmore Park, a fantastic local childcare centre. Elaine, who works there, says: 'Providing high-quality early childhood education and care supports children to be confident, enthusiastic learners. I love my job, and this is part of the foundation of all of our children for their learning, their health and behaviour right throughout their lives. I feel privileged to be able to do this at an early childhood service and give children the best start in life.' Early childhood education means so much to families, and, on behalf of our community, I thank every single teacher, carer and educator for the work they do and for the positive impact they have on our children.