Child Care News
Back to nature: Children reap benefits of braving the cold
The Age - Henrietta Cook - June 23, 2019It’s eight degrees and children at Diamond Creek Memorial Kindergarten are stomping in puddles, making mud soup and running through the morning drizzle. They are rugged up in rain jackets, gumboots and matching waterproof overalls. It's a scene that didn't exist four years ago. Back then...
Scurvy. Diphtheria. Measles. The diseases of the past are coming back to haunt South Australia
The Advertiser - Brad Crouch, SA Weekend - June 21, 2019Victorian-era diseases are leaping out of the pages of Charles Dickens and into the emergency departments of Adelaide hospitals. Scurvy, which most school kids learned was beaten by seafarers such as Captain James Cook giving their sailors a good diet, is back in growing numbers...
Exclusive: Sydney childcare worker appears to sit on boy during storytime
9 News - Emily McPherson - June 21, 2019A Sydney childcare educator has been photographed appearing to sit on a four-year-old boy after he was being “disruptive” during storytime. Mother Joanne Tourni told nine.com.au she was shocked to see the photos of her son pinned into the corner of a couch by one of his carers...
ECEC sector responds favourably to PwC report confirming the value of the early years
The Sector - Freya Lucas - June 21, 2019The early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector has responded favourably to the issuance of a new report from PwC yesterday, which highlighted the economic and societal benefits gained from sound and continuing investment in the early years. The Australian first study...
Calls for babies travelling overseas to get measles vaccine as case numbers rise
ABC News - Claire Campbell - June 21, 2019Doctors are warning Australian babies travelling overseas should be vaccinated against measles earlier than the Federal Government's immunisation scheme recommends amid international outbreaks and a rising number of cases in Australia. As of this week, there had been 128 cases of measles reported...
Cancer Council Queensland calls for tougher smoking bans near childcare centres
The Courier Mail - Andrea Macleod - June 20, 2019Cancer Council Queensland is calling for enforceable smoking buffer zones between private property and childcare centres after concerns were raised about second-hand smoke drift. Cancer Council Queensland (CEO) Chris McMillan said the charity was contacted by parents of children attending...
New Child Care Subsidy rate confirmed, and due to commence 1 July 1 2019
The Sector - Freya Lucas - June 20, 2019The Federal Department of Education has confirmed the revised Child Care Subsidy (CCS) rates which will take effect from 1 July 2019. The percentage of CCS to which a family is entitled will continue to be based on combined annual income, and has been adjusted in accordance with the Consumer Price Index (CPI)...
ACECQA extends ECT transitional measure as workforce challenges persist
The Sector - Freya Lucas - June 20, 2019The Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA) has extended an existing transitional measure that recognises those holding registered/accredited primary school teaching qualifications as early childhood teachers (ECTs) in the instance where those primary teachers have...
Early education delivered $4.74b payday
Australian Financial Review - Bo Seo - June 20, 2019One year of investment in early childhood education yielded $4.74 billion in benefits associated with wages growth, productivity, and social health, according to a PwC report. The figure, which takes 2017 as its reference year, represents a twofold return on the $2.34 billion incurred in costs by the government...
Combining child care and aged care benefits both ends of the age spectrum
Great Lakes Advocate - Jeanene Duncan - June 20, 2019It's smiles from walking frames to chairs when a group of youngsters from Kindilan Childcare Services weekly walk through the doors of Estia Health Tuncurry. Part of the childcare agency's Beyond the Gate program, up to 10 littlies, accompanied by two educators,walk around the corner to the aged care facility to...
Legal loophole allows workers to smoke near Queensland childcare centre play area
ABC News - Melinda Howells - June 20, 2019A mother who discovered workers are allowed to smoke near the sandpit of her daughter's childcare centre is calling for a loophole in Queensland's anti-smoking laws to be closed. Clarissa Brown saw employees from neighbouring businesses take their smoking breaks on the other side of the fence where children...
First Steps Childcare centre Whittington closure leaves Geelong families scrambling
Geelong Advertiser - Chanel Zagon - June 19, 2019The sudden closure of a Geelong childcare centre has left around 100 children and their families in the lurch as well as the staff who work there. The Geelong Advertiser understands several families were in a frantic scramble to arrange last-minute carers for their children after they found Whittington’s First Steps Childcare...
Construction starts on St Ives child care centre with zero emissions plan
The Daily Telegraph - Amanda Sheppeard - June 19, 2019A new child care centre, aiming to be Australia’s first custom-built, zero carbon emission facility, is due to open in St Ives early next year. The centre’s early learning philosophy is based on the Reggio Emilia model, and will include sprawling natural outdoor play areas, including an orchard, chicken coop, worm farms...
Get the qualification, get the job: Nowra students all offered work in childcare
South Coast Register - June 19, 2019Enrol in the right qualifications, choose the right industry and there are plenty of jobs in the Shoalhaven, as a class of TAFE NSW Nowra students recently discovered. All but one student (who is having a baby) from this year's Certificate III Early Childhood Education and Care course at TAFE NSW Nowra have been offered...
Vacant school site at Spencer back on the market after three years
News.com.au - Jess Verrender - June 19, 2019With a price guide of $1.5 million, the prime 5830sqm site in the sleepy fishing village would have to be one of the most unique listings on the Coast. With water views and its own library, the property at 4684/4688 Wisemans Ferry Rd is zoned RU5 (village) with Central Coast Council, which allows childcare centres...
