Child Care News
Council-run ECEC services under threat without JobKeeper ALGA says
The Sector - Freya Lucas - June 1, 2020The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has said that council-run early childhood education and care (ECEC) services are “racking up big financial losses” in their struggle to stay open without access to the Commonwealth Government’s JobKeeper program...
Busy Bees lighting up with gratitude, giving thanks to children, families and communities
The Sector - Freya Lucas - June 1, 2020Busy Bees Early Learning Australia services around the country will be commencing a one-month campaign of thanks and recognition from today, with each of the providers 63 services around the country creating a light display to show their thanks to the children, families and...
Two-storey childcare centre approved despite residents' appeal
Brisbane Times - Lucy Stone - June 1, 2020A two-storey childcare centre will go ahead in Holland Park after the planning court dismissed an appeal brought against it by residents of neighbouring streets. Brisbane City Council approved the centre, which will cater for up to 84 children and 13 staff on a corner block at 19 Melba Crescent and ...
More than half of parents would need to cut work if free childcare ends
The Sydney Morning Herald - Wendy Tuohy - May 31, 2020An end to the federal government's childcare rescue package would force parents in 60 per cent of households currently using care to reduce work. And it would mostly be mothers who needed to stop or cut back their hours. A national survey of 2280 families by the parents' group The Parenthood...
How much would it cost to make free childcare permanent, and would it be a good idea?
The Guardian - Nick Evershed - May 31, 2020A better option could be to lift the childcare subsidy to 95% of fees with a simple taper and means-testing, the Grattan Institute says. Since early April, childcare in Australia has been free to parents as part of the government’s coronavirus crisis stimulus response. This means that childcare operators ...
Childcare has become a nightmare of regulation
The Sydney Morning Herald - Opinion: Amanda Vanstone - May 31, 2020Sometimes what starts out as a good thing ends up a mess. Childcare is but one example. I think we've regulated ourselves into a nightmare. We've produced a system that gets more expensive every year, is far too expensive for many users and doesn't suit the people who work on irregular shifts...
Reconciliation efforts on Boon Wurrung land bring language, culture and stories to children
ABC News - Margaret Paul and Joseph Dunstan - May 31, 2020August Gibbons is on a bush day at kindergarten, on a lush camping ground on Victoria's Mornington Peninsula, on Boon Wurrung land. The site is dripping with vines, dotted with birds and full of twisted trees, perfect for climbing. As he explores, he runs through some of the words he uses to...
Children are back at school — but what about coughs and colds amid coronavirus?
ABC News - By Brittany Evins, Sara Tomevska and Kathryn Bermingham - May 31, 2020Runny noses are common in young children, and usually nothing to worry about. But as students return to classrooms amid the coronavirus pandemic, should parents be concerned if their kids come home with sore throats or sniffles — and what should they do? Restrictions might be easing in states ...
Anti-vaxxer sentiment among early childhood educators amid push for mandatory flu jabs
The Daily Telegraph - Clare Masters, News Corp Australia Network - May 30, 2020Anti-vaxxers are infiltrating the ranks of early childcare workers who are angry at a renewed push to have them receive mandatory flu shots. Early childhood advocate and consultant Lisa Bryant said she received backlash after coming out supporting the call for ‘no jab, no pay’ and vaccination...
SA families pay back $4m in child care subsidy debts
The Advertiser - Claire Bickers - May 30, 2020Thousands of South Australian families have been forced to collectively pay back more than $4 million in overpaid childcare subsidies. That’s more than one in 10 families using childcare, sparking calls for the subsidy to be simplified or changed to make it easier for parents to claim...
Thousands of families could withdraw from childcare if fees reimposed
The Sydney Morning Herald - Fergus Hunter - May 29, 2020Two of Australia's largest childcare providers have warned thousands of families will cut back their children's attendance or withdraw them completely if fees are reintroduced in a month. The federal government is poised to wind back the COVID-19 childcare relief package, which introduced...
Complete ‘rethink’ of childcare system sought to keep women in jobs
mybusiness - Maja Garaca Djurdjevic - May 29, 2020The federal government introduced a temporary $1.6 billion childcare scheme back on 6 April, freeing some 945,000 Australian families from the cost of childcare. But the scheme, which also ensured childcare centres were kept in business during the crisis, is scheduled to expire on 30 June...
Is It Too Late To Consider Buying Mayfield Childcare Limited (ASX:MFD)?
Simply Wall St - May 29, 2020Mayfield Childcare Limited (ASX:MFD), which is in the consumer services business, and is based in Australia, received a lot of attention from a substantial price increase on the ASX over the last few months. As a small cap stock, hardly covered by any analysts, there is generally more of an...
CELA report shows impact of pandemic on children, importance of ECEC in the recovery
The Sector - Freya Lucas - May 29, 2020A new report, delivered by Community Early Learning Australia (CELA) highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on children, and the importance of early childhood education and care (ECEC) in the nation’s recovery. Michele Carnegie, chief executive of CELA, voiced her concern that...
Women executives demand three month extension of free childcare
The Sydney Morning Herald - Wendy Tuohy - May 29, 2020The Federal Government's $1.6 billion free childcare scheme should be extended for three months to ensure women are not put at risk, according to the national organisation for senior women executives. Sue Morphet, president of Chief Executive Women, said if women lose access to childcare...
