Child Care News

Childcare sector in crisis as centres closed by Covid
Herald Sun - Kieran Rooney - January 16, 2022

Nearly 100 childcare centres across Victoria are closed for health reasons as surging Omicron lead to staff shortages and temporary shutdowns. Advocates are calling for free rapid tests to workers and families to help better manage a predicted peak in cases at the end...

The ten-year plan to nurture the children of Georges River
St George & Sutherland Shire Leader - January 14, 2022

Georges River Council has a ten-year vision to support the future learning and wellbeing of local children. The council cares for approximately 440 children at its six early learning centres. To guide their future learning needs, Georges River Council's draft Early Learning...

Accelerated education program on offer
Star Weekly - Michaela Meade - January 14, 2022

In a post to the Hume City Council Facebook page, the council announced that Victoria University and Hume Multiversity were offering eligible residents the opportunity to do an accelerated bachelor of early childhood education. “If you hold a diploma of early childhood...

Advocacy organisations band together to call on Minister Robert for urgent intervention
The Sector - Freya Lucas - January 14, 2022

The Early Learning Association of Australia (ELAA), the Community Child Care Association, and Community Early Learning Australia (CELA) have banded together to send a letter to Stuart Robert, the Acting Federal Minister for Education and Youth sharing their recommendations...

Union says exempting education staff from isolation rules is ‘a public policy failure’
The Sector - Freya Lucas - January 14, 2022

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that staff in schools, early childhood centres and post-secondary colleges are exempt from COVID isolation rules “is an abject failure of public policy”, IEUA NSW/ACT Branch Acting Secretary Pam Smith said, critical that...

National cabinet: Scott Morrison announces reduced isolation requirements for teachers and childcare workers
The Australian - Ashleigh Gleeson - January 14, 2022

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned it is “essential” schools remain open to deal with workforce shortages, after national cabinet agreed to relax isolation rules for teachers and childcare staff. Speaking from Parliament House on Thursday, Mr Morrison said new...

NSW childcare centres force ‘high risk’ kids to take daily RATs
The Daily Telegraph - Angira Bharadwaj - January 14, 2022

Children deemed “high risk” under an outdated risk matrix from the state government are being forced to take daily rapid antigen tests to go to daycare because centres and parents cannot keep up with the rapidly changing advice. The “test-to-stay” policy from NSW Health...

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) COVID-19 guidance for families
NSW Government - Department of Health - January 13, 2022

Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) settings (long day care, family day care and outside school hours care) are at a higher risk of COVID-19 transmission due to the close interactions between people and the amount of time spent in settings that are often indoors...

National cabinet lifts isolation rules for childcare workers, teachers
The Sydney Morning Herald - Dana Daniel and Mike Foley - January 13, 2022

Isolation rules will be eased for teachers, childcare workers and food supply chain staff to ease the Omicron wave’s impact on the economy, as federal and state leaders work on new testing protocols to manage outbreaks in schools to keep students in classrooms...

Educators who are close contacts will be exempt from isolation after negative rapid antigen test
Newcastle Herald - Helen Gregory - January 13, 2022

Independent Education Union Australia NSW/ACT Branch acting secretary Pam Smith said the union had "very significant concerns" about the decision, which Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Thursday. A close contact is anyone who has spent four or more...

Childcare reaches a ‘crisis point’ as parents fret
Financial Review - Tess Bennett - January 13, 2022

Georgie Dent, executive director of The Parenthood, which represents 72,000 parents and carers, says the sector is at a “crisis point” with 400 providers closed around the country and many more operating at reduced capacity. “The consistent message I’m hearing from...

Tasmania's Public Health Service provides new advise to state's child care centres
The Advocate - Matt Maloney - January 13, 2022

Labor says the government needs to clear up the information it provides to the state's child care centres in relation to COVID cases, claiming centres are receiving conflicting advice. Lady Gowrie Tasmania chief executive Mat Rowell wrote to parents on Wednesday to...

COVID chaos has shed light on many issues in the Australian childcare sector. Here are 4 of them
The Conversation - Marg Rogers - January 13, 2022

Thousands of families are without childcare as hundreds of services have had to close due to a surge in COVID cases, while many more are running at reduced capacity. Many parents dread another chaotic year that may have them jugging childcare and work at home...

Childcare crippled by ongoing COVID outbreaks, confusing isolating rules and lack of RATs
ABC News - Phoebe Bowden - January 13, 2022

With no concept of social distancing or mask wearing, and too young to get a vaccine, children under five at daycare are being sent home to isolate in record numbers. Despite the impact this has on families, childcare providers and the economy, a national approach on how...

$2.25m childcare centre to be built in Spearwood
Perth Now - Kristie Lim - January 13, 2022

Another childcare centre will be constructed in Spearwood, across the road from Cash Converters in Rockingham Road. The recently approved Sonas centre will cater for up to 88 children and 15 staff, and the construction will include a 626sqm play area and 24 car bays...