Child Care News
Childcare workers are getting specialist training to support Australia's refugee children
SBS News - Amelia Dunn - June 21, 2020When Manik Gadre first began her career in early childhood education 16 years ago, discussions around how to deal with trauma in young children, especially those from refugee backgrounds, were few and far between. It was an issue nobody wanted to talk about, she says...
There is a significant gap in parenting support
The Canberra Times - Opinion Christy Kidner - June 21, 2020When a woman is pregnant, or has a newborn, a toddler or a preschooler, the amount of information and advice on offer is completely overwhelming. You can't avoid conversations around breastfeeding, starting solids, sleep training, choosing daycare, developmental milestones...
‘4th Reich’: Melbourne kindergarten defaced
The Australian Jewish News - Evan Zlatkis - June 21, 2020A kindergarten in Melbourne’s Albert Park has been defaced with the words “4th Reich” along with a Star of David, in what has been described as a “senseless” and “sickening” incident of neo-Nazi graffiti. The incident at the Middle Park Kindergarten was reported to the Anti-Defamation...
Free Council-run childcare to end July 20
Coast Community News - June 21, 2020Community and mobile preschools on the Central Coast will remain free for terms two and three, but State Government support for council run childcare centres will cease next month, when JobKeeper payments to childcare workers cut out and there is a return to the Federal Government’s...
Our next environmental champions tuck into bush foods
RiotAct - Communities@Work - June 21, 2020Growing in a bush tucker garden in the heart of the Canberra suburb of Richardson, the humble mint and hibiscus plants are connecting the community and sowing seeds for children’s greater cultural and environmental awareness. A desire to raise awareness of Reconciliation Week...
Childcare operators hail return of Child Care Subsidy system
The Australian Business Review - Tim Boreham - June 19, 2020Everyone loves the notion of something for nothing (especially if the government is footing the bill), but for childcare operators the hastily implemented “free” system during the virus crisis has fallen well short of a socialist paradise. The initiative meant that centres were subsidised 50 per cent...
Rare split in minimum wage decision reveals 'risk to jobs'
Financial Review - David Marin-Guzman - June 19, 2020Employers have slammed the Fair Work Commission's decision not to freeze the minimum wage as a "dangerous misstep" at a time of decades-high unemployment, warning the wage panel's first split in 30 years has added further uncertainty to jobs. A majority of the commission on Friday...
Fears preschoolers left behind ahead of critical year
Herald Sun - Clare Masters, News Corp Australia Network - June 19, 2020The childcare crisis could have serious repercussions for the COVID-kids class of 2021 who head into school next year with massive disruptions to learning vital preschool skills. The end of free childcare has prompted experts to raise concerns about preschoolers who have had their early education...
Women hit hardest by job losses, have we lost an opportunity to reset?
Women's Agenda - Angela Priestley - June 19, 2020Way back on March 25, Greens Senator Mehreen Faruqi spoke about the gendered nature of the COVID-19 crisis. She spoke about those on the frontline of the public health crisis being mostly women: nurses, teachers, early childcare educators, aged-care workers...
Shock closure of popular Gold Coast childcare centre
myGC.com.au - Matt McDonald - June 19, 2020Parents and staff have expressed their disbelief after the sudden closure of a popular Gold Coast childcare centre. Kids Academy at Hope Island has reportedly shut its doors, with next to no notice and no information on whether it will ever reopen. Removalists have been seen at the site...
Goodstart community projects share good and books
Perth Now - Lucy Jarvis, Wanneroo Times - June 19, 2020Childcare centres and a men’s shed teamed up to create community pantries and libraries in the northern suburbs. The Northern Suburbs Men’s Shed built the structures for Goodstart Early Learning centres in Clarkson and Merriwa to support vulnerable families and promote literacy...
Panel approves Eglinton childcare centre plans
Perth Now - Lucy Jarvis, Wanneroo Times - June 19, 2020Young families in Eglinton could soon have a childcare option close to home after a $2.2 million centre received development approval. The Metro Outer Development Assessment Panel conditionally approved plans for the childcare centre on the corner of Indigo Street and Heath Avenue...
New nature playground at McDougall Park Community Kindergarten in Manning
Perth Now - Sarah Brookes, Southern Gazette - June 19, 2020A new nestled-in-nature playground is bringing smiles to the faces of kindy kids at a community kindergarten in Manning. Construction was completed last month at McDougall Park Community Kindergarten to upgrade the existing structures, with many new elements having been added...
Employers, schools, take note. Coronavirus ‘clearance certificates’ are a waste of everybody’s time
The Conversation - Lauren Ball, Griffith University and Mark Morgan, Bond University - June 19, 2020Last week, my two-year-old niece was sent home from daycare for having a runny nose – a sin that would otherwise be commonplace on a windy winter’s day. The daycare centre instructed my sister she would need to produce a medical certificate “clearing” my niece of COVID-19...
New provider challenges persist as AWCC confirms Chiltern Kindergarten November exit
The Sector - Freya Lucas - June 19, 2020The Indigo Shire Council have provided an update in relation to ongoing challenges in securing a new provider for childcare and kindergarten services in Chiltern, following confirmation from current provider Albury Wodonga Community College (AWCC) that they intend to exit...
