Child Care News
'Free childcare has been amazing': Australian parents hope pandemic may pave way for reform
The Guardian - Celina Ribeiro - May 11, 2020The government has vowed to roll back universal free early education once the crisis passes, but returning to a pre-Covid-19 state could be politically fraught. As the coronavirus pandemic began what at the time looked like a particularly ominous march forward, Fiona Ivits’ four-year-old son...
LDC supply growth rate jumps to new high in Q1 2020 says latest ACECQA snapshot
The Sector - Jason Roberts - May 11, 2020The number of long day care centres across Australia increased 4.5 per cent in the three months ended March 2020 (compared to the same period last year), the fastest rate of growth in this data series for at least five years, according to the ACECQA latest NQF Snapshot. The growth highlights ...
Desperate councils cry out for promised childcare funding
Sydney Morning Herald - Angus Thompson - May 10, 2020There is confusion among councils over how and when they will receive the NSW government's promised $82 million in childcare funding as they continue to haemorrhage money maintaining the free service a month after the bailout was announced. The Department of Education...
Forget flowers and chocolates for Mother’s Day: keep free childcare going instead
The Conversation - Leah Ruppanner - May 8, 2020One of the surprise silver linings of the COVID-19 crisis is that childcare became free for all Australian families. Australia has traditionally been viewed as a liberal welfare state where government policies are reserved for those in the greatest need and a “pick yourselves up by the bootstraps” mentality reigns.
Outbreak is moment to rethink child care
9 News - By AAP - May 7, 2020The stress of the coronavirus crisis has laid bare the weaknesses in Australia's childcare system but presents an opportunity to rethink the way it works. Former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill says the reconstruction of the economy once the COVID-19 crisis has passed should start with children.
NT announces $10,000 operator grants to support ECEC providers navigate COVID-19
The Sector - Freya Lucas - May 7, 2020The Northern Territory Government has offered one-off grants of up to $10,000 to NT early childhood education and care (ECEC) operators to support them through the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. The top-up grants are designed to help support the sector offset the costs of...
Early childhood education is the silent victim of COVID-19 schools debate
The Daily Telegraph - Clare Masters - May 6, 2020But there is a key point that has been missing from the conversation: the education of our youngest Australians. Even more so than the schooling system, early childhood education in Australia is unwieldy and mammoth, there is no real clear ‘ownership’ and communication lines are messy...
Coronavirus: Can 4-day week be ‘the new full time’?
The Australian - Helen Trinca - May 6, 2020“We think COVID-19 … has opened up some of these areas for further discussion,” Ms Morphet said. “It’s a moment in time that we need to grab. We have always felt child care is a major hurdle for women to achieve their professional opportunities. “All sides of government have felt that assistance...
Supporting Territory’s Childcare Workers through COVID-19
Mirage News - May 6, 2020The Territory Labor Government is offering one-off grants of up to $10,000 to NT childcare operators to support them through the ongoing impacts of COVID-19. The top-up grants are to help support the early childhood care sector offset the costs of supplies, cleaning and maintenance...
Plans for a second childcare centre on Canyon Road, Baulkham Hills rejected
Hills Shire Times - Carla Mascarenhas - May 6, 2020A plan to build a second childcare centre on a busy Baulkham Hills street have been knocked back by Hills Shire Council, which cited environmental concerns. The proposal, put forward by Nero Pty Ltd, would have demolished a single-storey home to make way for a 90-place childcare centre...
PenPalPlatform launches at Guardian Childcare & Education Phillip Street
The Sector - Freya Lucas - May 5, 2020Children from Guardian Childcare & Education Phillip Street have been working with their educators to connect with the wider Guardian community during COVID-19. As a result, Centre Manager Harriet Wilshaw McAllister has set up a national pen pal program. Dubbed PenPalPlatform...
'I can only repeat what I have been saying for months': PM says schools are open
Nine.com.au - Freya Noble - May 5, 2020Scott Morrison has reiterated that all schools in Australia can be open, after it was revealed their closure – along with childcare centres – are costing the economy $30 million. Speaking in Canberra after today's National Cabinet meeting, Mr Morrison addressed the differing approaches...
Childcare sector warns some centres will fail unless Government returns subsidies
ABC News - Annie Guest - May 5, 2020Childcare providers are urging the Federal Government to inject more support, warning some centres can't last much longer. When the Government announced free childcare as part of the pandemic response, it also reduced some subsidies paid to centres. Plus, they're not able to get...
Coronavirus: Women executives eye quick childcare fix
The Australian - Helen Trinca - May 5, 2020Australia’s top women executives have called on the federal government to fix a childcare system that continues to force women into part-time work. The president of advocacy body Chief Executive Women, Sue Morphet, said if women could access four days of childcare they could ...
Council-run child care centres receive support package
The Murray Valley Standard - May 5, 2020Regional childcare centres run by local councils across South Australia have been given $700,000 in funding by the State Government to continue providing care during the pandemic. Centres supported by the Karoonda East Murray, Whyalla, Port Augusta, Robe, Southern Mallee...
