Time Poverty in Childcare—Why Children Lose When Educators Burn Out

A recent national study has laid bare a quiet crisis undermining the heart of early childhood education in Australia: childcare educators spend less than 30 percent of their day in focused interaction with children. That’s less than 2.5 hours in an eight-hour shift spent on the very purpose of their profession.

Led by the University of Sydney and the University of Technology Sydney, the research paints a picture of systemic dysfunction where highly trained educators are pulled away from developmental engagement by a mountain of unpaid hours, administrative burdens, and staffing shortages.

The Numbers Speak Loudly

• More than 73% of educators say workload demands compromise child learning.
• 76% report concern that children don’t receive enough quality time.
• Over 70% work 7–9 unpaid hours weekly, often completing lesson planning or regulatory documentation after hours.
• Quality time dwindles while low-value “non-contact” duties—cleaning, admin, managing rosters—take precedence.

“We’re seeing the consequences of a neglected sector that is foundational to our society.” — Dr Erin Harper, University of Sydney

From Passion to Pressure

Educators, motivated by care and committed to children’s development, are experiencing massive burnout. Many report skipping meals or even forgetting to drink water during shifts. Centres increasingly rely on casual workers unfamiliar with children’s routines, raising risks and diluting relational trust.

Carolyn Smith from the United Workers Union warns:

“Educators are being exploited for the care they have for children. It’s impacting quality and safety.”

This systemic strain doesn’t just harm educators—it sabotages children’s ability to form strong connections, learn social skills, and thrive in formative years.

What Real Reform Looks Like

The study calls for urgent intervention:

• A national stocktake of sector tasks to align staffing and expectations.
• Pay equity for degree-qualified teachers.
• Protected child-facing time quotas.
• Policy that centers both educator and child well-being.

Minister Jess Walsh has acknowledged the findings as “troubling” and pointed to a 15% pay rise rollout, but researchers argue that deeper restructuring is essential.

A Sector in Review—Or in Ruin?

Early childhood education is more than compliance metrics. It’s the bedrock of developmental equity, emotional safety, and future learning. When educators are systematically blocked from connecting with children, no amount of paperwork can substitute what’s lost.

The sector must stop treating time with children as a luxury—and start treating it as a non-negotiable.

Further Reading

70% Of Educators Work An Average Of 9 Hours Of Unpaid Work Each Week
Beyond Ratios: Why Supervision Failures Are a Safeguarding Crisis
Opinion: Are Current Childcare Staffing Ratios Enough to Keep Children Safe?

Reference:
Childcare Educators Spend Less Than 30 percent Of Time In Focused Interaction With Children.