Child Care News

Early warning of autism in children as young as 18 months
The Australian - Natasha Robinson - March 12, 2022

A screening tool developed by Australian researchers can ­detect autism in children as young as 18 months with an ­accuracy rate of 96 per cent, transforming the options for early treatment of the condition by allowing much earlier intervention. Currently the average age...

Additional support for WA families and the ECEC sector as Omicron wave impacts
The Sector - Freya Lucas - March 11, 2022

The Federal Government is introducing additional targeted support for Western Australian families and the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector as they deal with the impacts of the Omicron wave. Families will be able to receive unlimited allowable...

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean says state government will step in on childcare affordability if federal government does not
Women's Agenda - Madeline Hislop - March 10, 2022

NSW Treasurer Matt Kean has said the NSW state government is prepared to invest in affordable early childhood education and care if the federal government does not. Kean, who spoke at the NSW Women of the Year awards on Wednesday morning, called on the...

State planners approve a child care centre along Hardey Road in Cloverdale
Perth Now - Victoria Rifici - March 10, 2022

Plans for a $2.05 million single-storey child care centre in Cloverdale will help “meet a demand” in an area which is “disadvantaged” by the lack of new high-quality childcare. Metro Inner South Joint Development Assessment Panel members agreed at a meeting on Wednesday to...

Five ways to protect your financial independence after childbirth
The Age - Jessica Irvine - March 10, 2022

Having kids can be one of life’s most rewarding decisions, but it can also be a costly one – particularly for women. The greatest divergence in male and female earnings occurs during the child-rearing years, when women typically take on more of the home and childcare responsibilities...

Next phase of financial support announced for flooding victims in NSW and QLD
The Sector - Freya Lucas - March 10, 2022

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) services affected by the recent catastrophic flooding disaster in northern NSW and Queensland will benefit from further financial support announced yesterday by the Federal Government. The Richmond Valley, Lismore and...

Doctors call for children to be top priority as Australia recovers from pandemic
The Sector - Freya Lucas - March 10, 2022

Australia’s doctors have called for children to be made a top priority as the country enters a third year of global pandemic. Speaking through The Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) paediatricians and specialist physicians launched a major campaign last month...

Canberra should offer universal affordable childcare otherwise NSW will: Kean
The Sydney Morning Herald - Alexandra Smith - March 9, 2022

Treasurer Matt Kean has taken aim at his federal colleagues, warning if Canberra fails to take the lead on universal affordable and accessible childcare, NSW will step in as it did with climate change. In what would be a major intervention, Mr Kean said NSW was prepared to...

Eden Academy (Wandal) and Coastal Kids (Taranganba) to expand with new centres in CQ
The Courier Mail - Vanessa Jarrett - March 9, 2022

With waiting lists at childcare centres across the region growing by the day, national companies are looking to open in Central Queensland and existing businesses are expanding. In the past few weeks, two new childcare centre applications have been lodged with the...

COVID-19 further highlights the importance of trauma-informed education and care
The Sector - Kerra-Lee Wescombe - March 9, 2022

Early learning settings provide children with an opportunity to develop both academic and social skills, whilst inspiring a lifelong love of learning. They also offer a powerful intervention opportunity as educators are some of the most consistent adults in children’s lives...

Childcare subsidy changes, and what they mean for you
ABC News - Emily Stewart - March 8, 2022

For some families, child care costs more than their mortgage or rent. It can be especially unaffordable if you have more than one preschooler in care. That's set to change this week, with a higher federal government subsidy being introduced for young families who have...

G8 Education is ensuring female leadership takes centre stage at Board and Exec level
The Sector - Freya Lucas - March 8, 2022

While the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector is a female-dominated profession, with 97 per cent of employees identified as women, female representation at executive levels across the sector has not always been a given. In recognition of International...

Call for space for childcare centres at the top of Adelaide CBD buildings
ABC News - Eugene Boisvert - March 8, 2022

Childcare centres are allowed to be built in multi-storey buildings in South Australia; however, the Metropolitan Fire Service recommends they be located on the ground floor, or at least no more than 25 metres above street level because of concerns about evacuating quickly...

Morrison Government easing cost of child care for families from today
Minister's Media Centre - March 7, 2022

From today, out-of-pocket child care costs will ease significantly for families with multiple children aged five or under. Acting Minister for Education and Youth, Stuart Robert, said the Morrison Government had lifted the rate of Child Care Subsidy (CCS) by 30 percentage points...

Support young women and the caring economy, say top businesswomen
Brisbane Times - Shane Wright - March 7, 2022

The federal government is under increasing pressure from women’s and family groups to address a series of issues, ranging from childcare fees to paid parental leave. Since the Coalition government was elected in 2013, childcare costs as measured in the consumer price...