Child Care News
Latest Education Council meeting elects to again extend ECT workforce provisions
The Sector - Jason Roberts - July 2, 2109The COAG Education Council has released a communique detailing conclusions reached at its most recent meeting of Education Ministers held on 29 June 2019 in which it has confirmed that a set of transitional workforce provisions, originally included in the original National Quality Framework...
Fears childcare subsidy could leave families in the red
The Canberra Times - Sally Whyte - July 1, 2019The childcare sector is sounding the alarm that parents could end up owing debts to Centrelink if the same system used to calculate "robodebts" is used to match income declared for childcare subsidies. The government has hosed down the concerns though, saying the upcoming "balancing" ...
Bega Preschool children learn about the joy of healthy food
Bega District News - July 1, 2019Last week, children from the Bega Preschool enjoyed a visit to Bega Woolworths to learn more about fresh produce and see the behind the scenes running of the supermarket. The Woolworths Fresh Food Discovery Tour was an extension to the preschool's daily Munch and Move program...
Penshurst Long Day Care in the NSW's top 30 per cent
St George & Sutherland Leader - July 1, 2019Penshurst Long Day Care has recently been rated as 'Exceeding Industry Standards' in Georges River Council's first early childhood assessment and rating for this year. The Penshurst service caters for 40 children a day, servicing 62 families, and was measured against the new National Quality Standards...
Plans for $4.8m ECE centre submitted by Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle
The Sector - Freya Lucas - July 1, 2019Plans for a $4.8 million early childhood education (ECE) centre at Gillieston Heights, New South Wales, have been submitted to Maitland City Council for consideration. If approved, the centre would cater for 144 children, and would initially be led by 27 staff, with provision for additional staffing...
Byron Bay 'wellness' couple offering $200 for an au pair to work 40 hours a week caring for their two children and tending to their organic veggie patch are branded 'stingy' - but not everyone agrees
Daily Mail Australia - Cindy Tran - July 1, 2019A 'wellness' couple has sparked debate for offering just $200 a week to an au pair in exchange for 40 hours of household duties and gardening. The Byron Bay couple, who run a wellness business, posted an ad on social media asking for a nanny or an au pair to care for their two children...
SA teachers strike over inadequate pay offer as they deal with ‘complexity in classrooms
The Advertiser - Tim Williams - June 30, 2019A “woefully inadequate” funding offer to help schools cope with students needing special support is the equivalent of one extra teacher for every four schools, the Australian Education Union says. Thousands of teachers will strike from 11am, forcing the closure of 258 public schools and preschools...
'Missed opportunity' as 10 per cent miss out on visit for newborns
The Canberra Times - Blake FodenBlake Foden - June 30, 2019About 10 per cent of newborns and their families in Canberra missed out on a free home visit from the ACT government's maternal and child health service last year, in what the auditor-general says was a missed opportunity to engage with potentially vulnerable families...
Swings and roundabouts: push to make Sydney more child-friendly
Sydney Morning Herald - Andrew Taylor - June 30, 2019Inner-city Sydney is turning into suburbia with new playgrounds, skate parks and childcare centres planned as part of an effort to cater for the city’s growing population of children. Sydney’s deputy lord mayor Linda Scott said the council should also seek accreditation from the United Nations Children’s Fund...
The competing demands on Aussie dads: breadwinner v involved parent
Sydney Morning Herald - Matt Wade - June 30, 2019Surveys of time use show fathers are spending more time on parenting and childcare than in the past. And it’s much more than just hanging out with the kids – men are doing a bigger share of the routine work of care such as pick-ups, drop-offs, feeding and bathing. What hasn’t changed is the amount of paid work...
Site of new carbon neutral child care centre at St Ives on market
News.com.au - Amanda Sheppeard - June 30, 2019Mr Gilbert said the cutting-edge design and unique location added to the property’s appeal. “The developer’s goal for this property is to deliver a premium product that combines the very latest in sustainable design and hopefully, Australia’s first ever stand-alone zero carbon emission childcare centre,” ...
Morrison Kept 'In The Loop' As Dutton Moves To Avoid A High Court Challenge
10 Daily - High Rimington - June 30, 2019Both Scott Morrison and Peter Dutton claimed Dutton’s family childcare interests posed no threat to his being in Parliament. Now, the PM has revealed the pair were in repeated contact as the Home Affairs Minister moved to extinguish the risk. In a 10 News First exclusive, the Prime Minister has given...
Thousands of South Australian families to be targeted by ATO over childcare
The Daily Advertiser - Matt Smith - June 29, 2019Thousands of South Australian families are being warned to check their paperwork as the Australian Taxation Office begin auditing salaries and comparing it to child care rebates. The impact of the most significant reforms to the child care sector in forty years are expected to be felt in coming weeks...
New laws, changes coming into effect on July 1 | What you need to know
SBS News - June 29, 2019Child care subsidy rates - Combined annual family income is one of the parameters that determine the amount of Child Care Subsidy a family is entitled to. From July 1, the subsidy will be contributed based on a family's combined income with the following thresholds...
Structural issues and understaffing plague Canberra’s early childhood education sector
The Riot Act - Lachlan Roberts - June 29, 2019The peak body for Australia’s early childhood sector says it has become increasingly difficult to hire and retain early childcare staff in the ACT, as centres across the territory struggle with understaffing. Early Childhood Australia CEO Samantha Page said that around 30 new centres had opened across...
