Child Care News
VCAT approves 139-space childcare centre at Heathmont’s Canterbury Rd abandoned church site
Herald Sun - Kiel Egging - September 2, 2020One of Heathmont’s biggest eyesores is set to be cleaned up after VCAT approved plans for a massive double-storey childcare centre to replace an abandoned church. The tribunal overturned Maroondah Council’s decision to not grant a permit for the proposed 139-space centre...
Emali announces plans to turn former dog kennels into childcare centre along South Eastern Freeway
Adelaide Now - Lydia Kellner - September 2, 2020A former dog kennel and cattery, which operated along the South Eastern Freeway for 50 years, will be turned into a drive-through-style “destination” childcare centre. The historic property at 92 Mount Barker Road, Mount Osmond has sold for $800,000 to childcare provider...
Parents say early childhood educators should be paid more: survey
The Canberra Times - Sarah Lansdown - September 2, 2020A majority of parents of young children in the ACT support higher salaries for early childhood educators, a survey has found ....
Educators key to setting up young Canberrans for success
Mirage News - September 1, 2020Today I launched Set up for success: An Early Childhood Strategy for the ACT to ensure that all children in our community are set up for success with the early learning and development they need. Well established research has shown that the period from birth through to ...
Canberra childcare worker charged with assault for shaking child against fence
ABC News - Elizabeth Byrne - September 1, 2020A Canberra childcare worker has been charged with assault after allegedly shaking a five-year-old boy who had been throwing plastic blocks over a fence. Kyong Shik Choi, 46, made a brief appearance in the ACT Magistrates Court this morning, where the court heard he had ...
Powerful Australians campaign for childcare to be cheaper, better quality
Herald Sun - Susie O'Brien - September 1, 2020Former politicians, philanthropists, scientists and unionists have united to call for better, cheaper childcare to allow an extra 380,000 parents nationally back to work. Former Liberal politicians such as Julie Bishop and John Hewson, Dr Fiona Stanley, philanthropist Nicola Forrest and ...
A powerful coalition backs the case for high quality, affordable early education & care
Women's Agenda - Georgie Dent - September 1, 2020On Tuesday night leaders, parents, workers, educators and community organisations from across Australia are joining forces to call for a universally accessible early education system. Nicola Forrest, Jay Weatherill, Professor Fiona Stanley, Julie Bishop, Michele O’Neil...
Greens call for ‘free’ childcare based on multi-billion dollar Swedish model
Skynews.com.au - September 1, 2020Greens leader Adam Bandt is calling for Australia to introduce a Swedish style “free” universal childcare system which would lump the cost entirely on taxpayers. The Swedish childcare model costs 1.6 per cent of the country’s GDP – or $11.8 billion a year – but families still pay less...
Childcare system labelled ‘appalling’ amid call for universal scheme
4bc.com.au - Scott Emerson and Jay Weatherill - September 1, 2020A campaign launched by Andrew ‘Twiggy’ Forrest’s Minderoo Foundation is lobbying for an overhaul of Australia’s childcare system. The ‘Thrive by Five’ campaign advocates for a universal funding model, designed to ensure no child is left behind by out of pocket costs...
Kangaroo Island Children's Service-Kingscote Preschool children participate in Bush Kindy program
The Islander - September 1, 2020This year the Kangaroo Island Children's Service-Kingscote Preschool children have participated in an interactive Bush Kindy program. Initiated by parent Deb Laver, with the support of Kangaroo Island Children Services Educators, the project was well received by the KICS community...
Forrests say childcare beats construction as bang-for-buck stimulus
Financial Review - Brad Thompson - September 1, 2020Andrew and Nicola Forrest are heaping pressure on the Morrison government to overhaul childcare and boost early childhood learning as part of the multibillion-dollar economic stimulus packages being rolled out in the wake of COVID-19. The Forrest family's Minderoo Foundation...
Coronavirus: Universal childcare can thrive, says campaign
The Australian - David Penberthy and Paul Garvey - September 1, 2020Every Australian child should be guaranteed access to childcare under a universal model similar to Medicare to ensure the one-fifth of youngsters who currently receive no preschool education do not continue to fall behind. That is the central plank of the “Thrive by Five” campaign...
Kindergarten 'first day of school' experience could be different for kids and parents in 2021 due to pandemic
ABC News - Jen McCutcheon - September 1, 2020Emily Press is preparing herself for the 'first day of school' drop off as much as she is her son Matthew. "My first thought is that not walking Matthew 'through' the gate will be devastating, but I'll still be walking him 'to' the gate," she said. Should coronavirus health restrictions ...
Northern suburbs daycare worker at centre of police probe over scratches on child
WAtoday - Kelly Haywood - August 31, 2020A northern suburbs daycare worker is being investigated by police after parents complained of scratches on their child. Suspicions were first raised after up to six families reported their children had come home from the Goodstart Early Learning centre with scratch injuries...
Classrooms are the key to recovery
Financial Review - Emma Dawson - August 31, 2020Opinion: With just over a month to go until Treasurer Josh Frydenberg hands down his post-COVID-19 budget, the lobbying from industry sectors that want a piece of the stimulus pie is growing fiercer by the day. So far, going by the talk of a “tradie-led” or “gas-fired” recovery, all indications...
