Child Care News

Dodgy childcare providers hit by sanctions
Shepparton News - AAP Newswire - August 5, 2019

The Morrison government has suspended or shut down 10 dodgy childcare providers during the first three months of the year. Education Minister Dan Tehan said 277 operators have been placed on the compliance register since it was set up in January last year. "The Morrison government...

City of Sydney convicted for repeatedly losing disabled child
Sydney Morning Herald - Angus Thompson - August 5, 2019

The City of Sydney council has been convicted by a magistrate after repeatedly losing a boy with Down syndrome who was in its care. On one occasion the boy, 11, was found naked and wet in the shower area of a public facility attached to the Ultimo childcare centre he attended after ...

Childcare price rises prompt calls to 'name and shame' centres
Sydney Morning Herald - Pallavi Singhal - August 5, 2019

Fee rises of 20 per cent or more at childcare centres in NSW have prompted calls for the government to "name and shame" some of Sydney's most expensive centres. Centres in some parts of the city, including the CBD, the north shore and northern beaches are charging up to $200 a day...

South Australia about to face chronic shortage of childcare workers as more and more centres get approved
The Advertiser - Tim Williams, Sunday Mail - August 4, 2019

The state’s childcare industry says it faces a crisis of “chronic” staff shortages and financial struggles caused by a “perfect storm” of factors - a glut of proposed centres, requirements for more teachers, and disincentives for new workers. Peak body Australian Childcare Alliance SA says ...

Ballarat childcare employees demand entitlements
The Courier - Caleb Cluff - August 4, 2019

Over a dozen current and former childcare workers have been left without their legal entitlements following the sale of a business in Ballarat. The United Children childcare and kindergarten centre based in Sebastopol became 'Sesame Kids' in 2018 after founder Margo Vasilevska sold ...

Childcare costs sting, with bush and outer southeast among worst hit areas in Victoria
Herald Sun - Herald Sun - Annika Smethurst - August 3, 2019

The federal government is facing calls to “name and shame” childcare centres that drive up fees to take advantage of subsidies intended to reduce financial pressure on parents. Childcare centres across Australia jacked up their fees by as much as 20 per cent in a year...

Early child education path to healthier indigenous future
The Australian - Ken Wyatt - August 3, 2019

The early years, from conception to the first year of school, shape the journey a child takes. National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children’s Day tomorrow provides the oppor­tunity to celebrate our children’s strengths and achievements. We need to acknowledge the work done ...

Kingsville childcare development approved by Maribyrnong Council
The Daily Telegraph - Rachel Clayton, Maribyrnong Leader - August 1, 2019

Parents are having to travel into the CBD for childcare because of a crucial lack of services in the city of Maribyrnong. But a school principal who moonlights as a developer is about to do something about the problem. A new childcare centre along a major truck route has been given...

Childcare centre to become two dwellings after charity submits proposal
The Daily Telegraph - Anton Rose, Wentworth Courier - August 1, 2019

The centre was closed down last year amid community opposition and parents' fears of a scramble for childcare places in the eastern suburbs - now it is set for a very different future. The future of the former Benevolent Society childcare centre on Nelson St, Woollahra ...

National survey to help working parents, carers juggle family and jobs
The Daily Telegraph - Cindy Ngo, Liverpool Leader - August 1, 2019

A national survey is aiming to highlight the experiences of working parents and carers and the challenges they face in a bid to create supportive, family-friendly work environments. Carramar-based not-for-profit organisation Karitane has partnered with Parents at Work to develop...

Why subsidies haven't brought down the cost of childcare
Financial Review - Bo Seo - August 1, 2019

Melbourne University lecturer Rennie Lee pays $138 a day for full-time care of her 18-month-old son. This adds up to $33,120 per year, makes up 30 per cent of her salary, and equals the cost of rent. Rennie Lee says the cost of childcare is a significant part of her income...

FDCA releases industry first study into the next generation of family day care educators
Family Day Care Australia - Augst 1, 2019

Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) is proud today to release an industry-first study into the family day care workforce in Australia: Attracting the next generation of family day care educators. The study, which drew on the feedback and insights of 1,288 current family day care educators...

K&L Gates acts on $120m acquisition of childcare services provider
Australiasian Lawyer - Duffie Osental - August 1, 2019

Global law firm K&L Gates has advised a wholly-owned subsidiary of China-based property management company Greentown Service Group on its acquisition of a majority interest in Montessori Academy Group at an enterprise value of $120m. Montessori Academy is one of Australia's...

Childcare prices up in June quarter but overall rate of growth shows signs of slowing
The Sector - Jason Roberts - August 1, 2019

The cost of childcare across Australia has risen by 1.0 per cent in the three months ending June 2019 compared to the three months ending March 2019 and is 7.9 per cent lower than the same period last year, according to the latest Consumer Price Index release by ...

YMCA Victoria names new Chief Executive
Australian Leisure Management - July 31, 2019

After conducting an extensive global search, YMCA Victoria has announced the appointment of Carolyn Morris as its new Chief Executive. Morris, who has been the Y’s acting Chief Executive and Chief Operations Officer, will lead the organisation at an exciting time ...