This week we are delighted to offer you an opinion piece from the CEO of Mission Australia Toby Hall. Mission Australia is co-owner of Goodstart, Australia's largest child care provider.

Australia's child care system is a ticking time bomb.

Rising costs threaten not only the quality of our children's early childhood education but also the delicately balanced finances of thousands of families across the nation and the future productivity of our workforce.

Recently we have made great strides in terms of improving the quality of our child care system.

Our children need the best possible start to their early education. They deserve the best quality teachers and facilities.

But while quality has improved, the system is encountering a number of financial challenges that are putting its viability and families under enormous strain.

I believe the extent of this financial challenge is being grossly underestimated.
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Ever wished there was an instruction manual to teach you how to be a child care director? Your prayers have been answered. The Community Child Care Co-operative NSW (CCCC) has just released a book titled: A Director's Manual: Managing an early education and care service in NSW.

The CCCC says the book attempts to fill the information void for people doing the important and complex job of running an early childhood education and care service.

CCCC CEO Leanne Gibbs says the manual has been part of their publications since 1988 and has been regularly revised and rewritten to reflect changing times and compliance needs.

"Managing an early education and care service in NSW is a complex job. Sometimes it can feel for those appointed to the role as if they have somehow mislaid the instruction manual. Our new Director's manual child care helps directors manage their services in the best way possible to achieve the highest possible standards," says Leanne.
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