Early childhood educators are making a budget submission, demanding a 25 per cent wage increase to stop staff from leaving the industry.

They have estimated 16,000 extra workers are needed to maintain services this year alone.

United Workers Union early education director Helen Gibbons says a lack of recognition and low pay is affecting their ability to provide adequate services to families. 

“The 25% is a way of demonstrating to them that the community and government value the work they do,” Ms Gibbons said on 6PR Breakfast.

Press PLAY to hear why early educators are demanding a higher wage