Lifestyle

Childcare Worker’s Facebook Post Perfectly Rebukes Politician Who Diminished Her Job as ‘Wiping Noses’

By Brian Delpozo 2 min read

# Austrailia
# childcare
# children

David Leyonhjelm Chloe Chant — Source SBS

An Australian politician recently made some outrageous comments about childcare workers that made waves across the internet. One industry professional in particular, Chloe Chant, posted a blistering social media rebuke that’s going viral.

Australian Senator David Leyonhjelm said, among other things, that childcare work involved nothing but, “wiping noses and stopping the kids from killing each other.”

Chant, an educator from Adelaide, responded to Leyonhjem on Facebook. Her post read in part:

Dear Senator Leyonhjelm,

Three weeks ago I stopped everything and spent an entire day of my personal, unpaid time creating documents to be used in court for a family in the middle of a child custody hearing.
…The next day I went to work and wiped a lot of noses.

Two weeks ago I identified behaviours (sic) that indicated possible child sexual abuse. I talked to the child, I talked to parents, I consulted research and theory, I completed Mandatory Reporting requirements, I cried – a lot…
…And I managed to stop the children killing each other.

This week I held a baby as he experienced febrile convulsions. I cooled him, reassured him, called an ambulance, called the mother, comforted the hysterical mother, evacuated the other children, kept airways open. I provided first aid that could have prevented brain damage or death. I spent 4 hours filling out legal documentation, paperwork, reflections, and analysis.
…And I wiped some noses.

From there, Chant goes on to detail a long list of specifics she did in the week including expanding the vocabularies of the children, introducing the concept of nuclear fission, and explaining the fundamentals of DNA, all of which she did for “just over 20 bucks an hour.”

She wrapped up the post with more harsh words for Leyonhjelm.

“Your ignorance regarding the lifelong benefits of early learning (sorry, a “Middle-class perk” (Leyonhjelm Jul 2, 2015)), arrogance, self-righteousness and hypocrisy as a self-proclaimed champion of enlightened government investment would be hilarious if it wasn’t so damaging to our future prospects as an intelligent nation, and the aspirations of the working class,” she wrote. “Should you need any advice regarding the REAL responsibilities of a childcare worker — or should you need your nappy changed — I am only too happy to render assistance. Despite your comments, my role is to educate, and nothing would please me more than to educate one of my esteemed parliamentary representatives.”

Chant’s post struck a massive chord, registering 0ver 20,000 likes, nearly 8,000 shares, and over 1,000 comments. In addition, it’s been covered by numerous outlets.

The reaction should be somewhat heartening for those who believe that those in the childcare profession are grossly unappreciated. Pay, working conditions, and expanded health care are all issues that need to be addressed in order to help those already in the industry and encourage others to pursue jobs in the field.

Your Daily Dish has reached out to Chloe Chant for comment.