Child Care News
US provider Bright Horizons acquires Sittercity platform as it expands in home care focus
The Sector - Jason Roberts - August 9, 2020US early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Bright Horizons Family Solutions has acquired Sittercity, an online platform that connects families with in-home caregivers and in person or virtual tutors. The move comes amidst an increased focus on in-home care and remote learning...
Parents able to send children to childcare, but not school
Herald Sun - Susie O'Brien - Sunday Herald Sun - August 8, 2020A double standard applies between school and childcare, with the same parents able to send their children to childcare — but not school — in stage four lockdown areas. A spokesman for the Education Minister, James Merlino, confirmed on Saturday the arrangements for schools...
Childcare centre expects to lose $15,000 during Melbourne's coronavirus lockdown
ABC News - Dan Conifer - August 8, 2020Ruth Harper feels the weight of an entire community on her shoulders. She runs a not-for-profit childcare centre that has been serving the inner-Melbourne suburb of Fitzroy continuously since the 1970s. But the city's stage 4 lockdown appears likely to cost the East West Childcare...
Cumberland Council could outsource childcare centres, pools, golf course
The Daily Telegraph - Joanne Vella, Parramatta Advertiser - August 8, 2020Cash-strapped Cumberland Council is considering outsourcing its 17 childcare centres and swimming pools as part of a plan to bounce back after haemorrhaging $41 million over the past three years because of amalgamation and the coronavirus pandemic. The council is now trying to salvage ...
No Jab No Play comes into effect today in South Australia: What does this mean for your kids?
ABC News - Sara Tomevska - August 7, 2020The South Australian Government's No Jab No Play laws come into effect today, with children up to the age of six who have not been fully immunised now unable to attend early childcare services. The law attempts to ensure children and the people they encounter are protected ...
'Just going to have to wing it': Parents grapple with childcare lockdown
The Age - Rachael Dexter - August 6, 2020Zoom meeting, put Toy Story on the TV, Zoom meeting, change a nappy, Zoom meeting. This could be the pace of Melbourne father of two Danny Whelan's days for the next six weeks if he loses his bid to be categorised as a "permitted worker" under the Victorian government's new...
'It's diabolical': Childcare centres in chaos on first day of lockdown
The Age - Adam Carey and Anna Prytz - August 6, 2020Just one child attended Dawson Street Children's Co-operative in Brunswick on Thursday. The child’s parents were the only family that managed to get their permit signed by their employer in time, centre director Narelle Lawton said. Having announced on Sunday that access to childcare...
Childcare chaos as centres waive permits for scrambling parents
Herald Sun - Susie O'Brien - August 6, 2020Melbourne’s childcare services have been plunged into chaos as parents scramble for permits to allow them to access care and staff fear for their jobs. And the parents of 170,000 children in childcare started their first day of juggling working at home and caring for their kids at the same time...
Lockdown babysitter rules clarified after initial confusion
Herald Sun - Susie O'Brien - August 6, 2020Nannies and babysitters have been given the go-ahead to care for essential workers’ kids in their homes. The state government confirmed on Wednesday night families with babysitting or nannying arrangements already in place could continue them in Melbourne’s stage four lockdown...
Everything you need to know about Victoria’s new childcare permit for essential workers
Herald Sun - Susie O'Brien - August 6, 2020Childcare for parents in Melbourne changes dramatically from Thursday under stage 4 COVID lockdown. Here are some of the main questions answered, including the latest advice on whether nannies, babysitters and grandparents are allowed. Can I still send my children to childcare?
Companies take big steps to help support Melbourne staff
Financial Review - Sally Patten - August 6, 2020Re-allocating work to other states, providing children's care packages and hooking staff up with walking buddies and child minders are some of the ways in which companies are looking to support their Melbourne-based staff. Medibank said it was preparing to send care packages to Victorian...
Why COVID-19 is a “pressure cooker’’ for working families
The Courier Mail - Natasha Bita - August 6, 2020Stressed families are at boiling point in a COVID-19 pressure cooker, Australia’s biggest childcare chain has warned. Goodstart Early Learning executive Myra Geddes said childcare workers had noticed many families under stress – from the poorest parents to high-earning professionals...
Victoria’s childcare announcements explained
The Sector - Kate Noble and Jen Jackson, Victoria University - August 6, 2020From tomorrow (Thursday, August 6) only children of permitted workers will be able to attend childcare in Melbourne, which is under stage 4 restrictions. Parents and providers have been waiting to understand what this means for their children and attendance numbers for the next six weeks...
The emotional toll of COVID-19 among early childhood educators
The Sector - Gloria Quinones, Melissa Barnes and Emily Berger - Monash University - August 6, 2020Despite school closures (re)occurring around the world as a way to slow the spread of COVID-19, early childhood education and care providers in Australia have been encouraged to keep their doors open since the start of the crisis. While it was initially suggested there was evidence...
Unions and parent advocacy group respond to yesterday’s core ECEC announcements
The Sector - Freya Lucas - August 6, 2020A number of peak bodies associated with the broader early childhood education and care sector, including the United Workers Union, the Australian Council of Trade Unions and parent advocacy group The Parenthood, have responded to announcements made at both Commonwealth and State...
