Child Care News
Kids allowed more days away from childcare
9News.com.au - March 25, 2020Young children will be allowed an extra 20 absent days before their parents lose government subsidies on childcare fees as part of the response to coronavirus. The government has made the move in recognition many parents are keeping their children home as part of recommended...
'Torn all day, every day': Childcare workers' dilemma amid coronavirus
The Age - Madeleine Heffernan and Benjamin Preiss - March 25, 2020Ella Jean doesn't know know whether she will have a job next week at her childcare centre, or whether she will still be healthy. Early childhood education is an essential service, the government says, so will stay open while the COVID-19 pandemic spreads. Childcare attendance numbers...
Wollongong early childhood educator reassures parents centre COVID-19 safe
Illawarra Mercury - Agron Latifi - March 24, 2020Wollongong early childhood educator Kathy Patrick understands why some parents are feeling a bit scared and nervous. The "misinformation about COVID-19" in the community also concerns the Boombalee Kidz owner.But Ms Patrick was quick to reiterate that the Wollongong...
Coronavirus: Childcare centres appeal for help from ACT Government
The Canberra Times - Steve Evans - March 25, 2020Mark Gillett is in despair. On Tuesday morning, there were 26 children in his Teddybears Childcare Centre in Curtin. Normally, there are 70 and that's the break-even point for his business. One of the tragedies of the resulting financial problem, he said, is that many of his 55 workers...
Coronavirus and childcare explained: The risks, costs and official advice
ABC News - Kelly Fuller - March 24, 2020The Federal Government has relaxed childcare laws in a bid to help the sector respond to the coronavirus but centres running on thin margins are warning they will be unable to waive the gap paid by parents unless they receive more support. Many parents are asking whether...
Childcare centres doing ‘everything they can’ to protect kids (and community) from COVID-19
3AW - Tom Elliott - March 24, 2020The Australian Childcare Alliance says it’s doing everything it can to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading throughout childcare centres while they remain open. While schools and other education facilities have been closed, childcare centres remain open in the time being...
Childcare and coronavirus: Australian families won't be penalised for keeping children home
The Guardian - Michael McGowan - March 24, 2020Families who keep their children home from daycare won’t be penalised and businesses that close because of the coronavirus will still get access to federal subsidies, Australia’s education minister, Dan Tehan, has said.Public school students began staying home in droves on Tuesday...
Central Victorian childcare centres, kindergartens remain open amid coronavirus outbreak
Bendigo Advertiser - Tara Cosoleto - March 24, 2020Bendigo early educators are continuing to teach young children after the Victorian government chose to keep childcare and kindergarten services open. Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Monday confirmed all primary and secondary schools would start term one holidays early...
Mandurah records first positive coronavirus case
Mandurah Mail - Claire Sadler - March 24, 2020A childcare centre in Mandurah has confirmed a staff member has tested positive to COVID-19. WAtoday reported today that a team member at Great Beginnings Halls Head recently returned from overseas travel and has been in mandatory isolation since their arrival. "While in isolation...
AEU calls for support, consistency and clarity for those working in preschools
The Sector - Freya Lucas - March 24, 2020The announcement on Sunday night by Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison, that preschools and schools should remain open, has caused “major confusion for principals, teachers, education support staff and parents,” the Australian Education Union (AEU) has said. This confusion...
Rishworth welcomes COVID measures, but wants to see protection for ECEC
The Sector - Freya Lucas - March 24, 2020Recent measures announced by the Federal Government to further support families and early childhood education and care (ECEC) settings during the COVID-19 crisis are welcomed, but may not go far enough to ensure the long-term viability of the sector, Shadow Minister for...
ECEC peak bodies respond to Dan Tehan’s COVID-19 sector support proposals
The Sector - Jason Roberts - March 24, 2020A range of early childhood education and care (ECEC) peak bodies have responded to Federal Minister for Education Dan Tehan’s new proposals to amend CCS legislation to support services and families impacted by COVID-19. The new proposals, which were released yesterday...
Coronavirus Australia: NSW Education Department advises to keep kids home 'where practical'
News.com.au - Sarah McPhee - March 24, 2020The NSW Department of Education has advised parents to keep their children home “where practical” amid the coronavirus pandemic. A Department of Education spokesperson said “health advice for both schools and early childhood education and care services is that they should remain open.”
Fund managers build cash pool
The Australian Business Review - Bridget Carter - March 24, 2020There are certain to be many equity raisings to participate in during the corona crisis, with some suspecting that childcare provider G8 Education could be a candidate, as could aged care providers Japara Healthcare or Regis...
Early childhood learning centres to remain open in NSW amid confusion
The Sydney Morning Herald - Natassia Chrysanthos - March 23, 2020Early childhood services will stay open and the federal government is advising parents to send their children to early learning centres amid debate about whether NSW schools should close due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kay Turner, chief executive of not-for-profit SDN Children's Services...
