Child Care News

More than just a bear in there – ABC Kids launches special resources for educators
The Sector - Freya Lucas - May 5, 2020

The work of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) is no stranger to those who work in early childhood, with a number of children’s favourite programs being shown on the network. What some early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals may not know is the range...

Government's coronavirus childcare plan creating unexpected problems
ABC News - Michael Atkin and Myles Wearring - May 5, 2020

Karen Stern's son Zachary, 2, has a learning difficulty and receives extra support at his Sydney childcare centre. But Zachary's attendance has been cut back by up to two days per week since the new childcare relief package introduced by the Federal Government came into effect...

Childcare scheme is crippling centres and frustrating parents
Sydney Morning Herald - Sophie Al-Bassam - May 5, 2020

When the government announced childcare would be free in April, under a scheme put in place to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, it sounded like a dream. But if you’re about to return to work after having a baby, you might find that instead of free childcare, you now won’t have any at all...

Charter Hall sells 26 New Zealand ECEC centres amidst push to optimise portfolio
The Sector - Jason Roberts - May 5, 2020

Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (CQE) has confirmed the sale and settlement of 26 early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres located in New Zealand in a push to optimise the portfolio to best insulate performance in the current challenging operating environment...

Charter Hall's childcare trust taps investors as rental income drops
Australian Financial Review - Larry Schlesinger - May 4, 2020

Australia's biggest childcare centre landlord joined the rush of A-REITs seeking to bolster their balance sheets after tapping investors on Monday for $115 million in fresh equity. Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT's equity raising came as the owner of more than 400 childcare centres...

How To Structure Your Day If You're WFH With A Toddler, According To An Educator
Whimn - Edwina Carr Barrclough - May 4, 2020

Jae Fraser, founder and managing director of Little Scholars School of Early Learning, shares exactly how to be productive at work, and keep your child happy, at home. Working from home with a small child is a little like sticking your hand in a blender. It’s not fun, not conducive to...

Goodstart confirms solid attendance growth as it extends support to essential workers
The Sector - Jason Roberts - May 4, 2020

Goodstart Early Learning, Australia’s largest early learning provider, has confirmed a 20% increase in attendances nationally for the fortnight ended 26 April 2020, as demand for early childhood education and care services (ECEC) from essential workers picks up and as Goodstart supports ...

Gold Coast business gossip: Norwegian Bank buys into Coast childcare group
Gold Coast Bulletin - Quentin Tod - May 4, 2020

Norwegian Government investment arm Norges Bank has taken a shine to Gold Coast childcare group G8, emerging with a stake of more than five%. Its holding is dwarfed by those of Sumitomo Mitsui Trust, which has moved to 10.75%, and funds manager Allan Gray, at 13%. The changes in holdings...

Coronavirus pandemic shakes up Australian workplaces, as businesses prepare for the other side
ABC News - Ben Knight - May 4, 2020

On a dark, chilly morning on Melbourne's urban fringe, Dani McFarlane is getting ready to leave for work at a busy childcare centre. And she's feeling scared. "Obviously, social distancing doesn't happen there," she said. "You can't change the nappies from 2 metres away. You can't hug them ..."

Brisbane daycare centre critical of coronavirus funding package
The Courier Mail - Domanii Cameron - May 4, 2020

A Brisbane daycare centre has taken aim at the Federal Government’s “one size fits all” COVID-19 funding arrangement that has forced it to stand down staff. Timber Tots Child Care in Camp Hill has taken a 56% hit to its revenue, with owner Jana Walker claiming there was no incentive...

Goldfields family day care educators struggling financially and emotionally from new fee package
The West Australian - Tegan Guthrie, Kalgoorlie Miner - May 3, 2020

The part-owner of Nature Alliance Family Day Care Service says educators have gone through the “five stages of grief” since the Federal Government’s “free childcare” announcement, and is now hopeful an impending review will bring about changes more supportive of the industry.

Australian childcare providers ineligible for JobKeeper to get top-up funding
SBS - May 2, 2020

Childcare centres and family daycare providers who aren't eligible for wage subsidies will get a top-up from the government to help them stay afloat during the coronavirus crisis. The government has made childcare free to parents during the health and economic crisis to enable them...

Uniting to stand down childcare staff while it awaits funding injection
Sydney Morning Herald - Natassia Chrysanthos - May 2, 2020

One of the largest early learning providers is standing down 45 staff next week after losing $1million-a-month. Uniting NSW.ACT fears further cuts will occur unless it can secure a top-up funding lifeline from the federal government. The Uniting Church's community services arm...

How much do you spend on your child's education?
Sydney Morning Herald - Jessica Irvine - May 2, 2020

The category of spending on goods and services by Australian households that saw the biggest percentage increase over the six years to the latest official survey in 2015-16 was – drum roll, please – education. And hidden away in those figures is yet another rapidly growing cost: childcare.

A Rising Share Price Has Us Looking Closely At MindChamps PreSchool Limited’s (SGX:CNE) P/E Ratio
Simply Wall Str - May 2, 2020

Those holding MindChamps PreSchool (SGX:CNE) shares must be pleased that the share price has rebounded 40% in the last thirty days. But unfortunately, the stock is still down by 22% over a quarter. But that will do little to salve the savage burn caused by the 52% share price decline, over the last year.