Child Care News
Survey finds that many ECEC graduates lack the skills needed to care for children
The Sector - Freya Lucas - January 20, 2020A survey conducted by the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) has found that many “qualified” staff lack basic knowledge of child safety, food safety or hygiene, with local news source The Courier Mail sharing that a number of the survey respondents believe that many graduates...
Childcare costs jump 35 per cent since Coalition came to power
The Daily Telegraph - Annika Smethurst - January 19, 2020Parents are paying more than $15,000 a year for childcare in NSW, with hourly fees soaring more than 34 per cent since the Coalition came to power. New Department of Education data reveals parents were hit with a $700-a-year increase in fees in the 12 months to September...
Childcare review on cards in 2020: Tehan
9 News - AAP - January 19, 2020Education Minister Dan Tehan has conceded that some private childcare providers are charging families more than the federal government's cap introduced two years ago. But he says out-of-pocket expenses are 5.6 per cent lower overall. The minister was responding to an accusation...
Workers lack English skills and can’t change nappies, childcare centres warn
The Courier Mail - Natasha Bita - January 18, 2020Childcare workers who can’t change a nappy and struggle with English are graduating from dodgy training courses, angry daycare operators have warned. As many parents pay more than $100 a day for childcare, the Australian Childcare Alliance has revealed that many “qualified” staff lack...
Bushfires: Major relief announcements coming from Scott Morrison
The Australian - Geoff Chambers - January 18, 2020Scott Morrison is preparing to announce major bushfire recovery announcements over the weekend... Mr Tehan said the government would also exempt families of more than 90,000 children in bushfire communities who incur a Child Care Subsidy activity test debt...
Bushfires: Mental health support to be offered at day care centres, schools
The Australian - Geoff Chambers - January 17, 2020Mental health support will be provided to children at day care centres and schools in bushfire-declared communities, with special consideration given to students accessing university scholarships. Education Minister Dan Tehan on Friday said child care centres, preschools, schools...
Michael McCormack backs lower speeds in congested areas
The Australian - Geoff Chambers - January 17, 2020Nationals leader Michael McCormack says “lower travel speeds can result in lower emissions from vehicles”, and the Morrison government supports slowing down cars in areas with “high volumes” of pedestrians, cyclists and aged or frail people, along with schools and childcare centres.” ...
Get in early to create yearning for learning
The Australian - Tessa Akerman - January 16, 2020To engage young children, it’s important to be creative but future early childhood teacher Charlotte Henderson knows intellectual stimulation is just as important, with 90 per cent of brain development occurring by a child’s fifth birthday. The number of children enrolled in preschool ...
ECEC sector meets with Tehan seeking more support to manage bushfire crisis
The Sector - Freya Lucas - January 16, 2020Representatives from the early childhood education and care sector met yesterday with Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan seeking clearer guidelines on when to send children home during future bushfires, asking for emergency concessions to allow fire-affected children...
How Canberra's childcare centres are coping with the smoke
The Canberra Times - Dan Jervis-Bardy - January 16. 2019Canberra's childcare centres are limiting outdoor play in an attempt to shield young children from the hazards of bushfire smoke. With kids considered especially sensitive to the effects of air pollution, childcare centres are taking extra precautions to limit...
True-blue disposable nappies fill void left by Huggies
Herald Sun - John Dagge - January 16, 2019The only disposable nappy maker in the nation to bear the Australian Made logo says sales are on the rise as parents and carers seek out a locally made product for young loved ones. Mater Group says sales of its nappy range are growing by 20 per cent a year...
Childcare centres want guidelines on when to send kids home in bushfires
Sydney Morning Herald - Fergus Hunter - January 15, 2020The childcare sector wants clearer guidelines on when to send children home during future bushfires and has called for emergency concessions to allow fire-affected children to continue to access childcare. Representatives from early childhood centres...
Camp Australia rallies to ensure vacation care is supported during bushfire crisis
The Sector - Freya Lucas - January 15, 2020Outside school hours care (OSHC) provider Camp Australia has announced that it will support those communities devastated by the recent and ongoing bushfires by providing free holiday care for all Australian emergency services personnel and volunteers...
New research yields framework, best practices to support strong ECEC workforce
The Sector - Freya Lucas - January 15, 2020Two studies have been produced by the Learning Policy Institute (LPI), aimed at exploring the connection between successful outcomes for children entering school, the preparation of educators entering the workforce and the effective policies and practices needed...
Intensive new research finds no coeliac risk for kids in play items despite parents’ concern
The Courier Mail - Jackie Sinnerton - January 15, 2020Many Australian parents worry that their coeliac children are at risk from the gluten in common play materials used in child care, but intensive new research shows their fears are unfounded, Coeliac Australia has revealed. “We get calls all the time from parents who have small children...
