Childcare workers across the country went on strike this week, demanding improved wages, conditions and respect. 

Over 1,000 childcare centres shut down on Thursday as thousands of early childhood workers protested. 

United Workers Union (UWU) early education director Helen Gibbons says it was :”the largest action of early educators that this country has ever seen”, and a clear sign that the existing system is “not delivering for educators … not delivering for children … and not delivering for families”. 

“We need real reform,” she said.

The workers are focused on three demands.

“Pay us what we're worth and give us a reason to stay in the sector,” Ms Gibbons said.

“The second demand is [to] value early education as education in the same way that we value schools.

“And the third demand is to put children before profit.”

The federal government has plans for a $5 billion reform to increase subsidies to families using child care from July next year. Experts say this package should be expanded to include improved conditions for workers in the sector.