Child Care News
Deadly asbestos found at Ashfield Pool redevelopment site
The Daily Telegraph - Ben Pike - May 18, 2019A local council has been accused of caring more about car fumes from WestConnex than asbestos in a major Sydney redevelopment site. Local residents and businesses — including a childcare centre — have not been told by Inner West Council about the discovery of the potentially deadly building material...
New laws allow marina precinct changes at Royal Pines Resort
Mirage News - May 18, 2019The Palaszczuk Government has approved changes to the Royal Pines Resort’s development scheme to allow a child care centre, commercial services and a recreational facility in the future. “This amendment is about ensuring that young families have the option to access to child care close to their home ..."
We need 21st century thinking for childcare
Weekend Switzer - Fi Bendall - May 17, 2019Regardless of who is in power, childcare is one of the biggest policy challenges facing the government. It’s a complex area with lots of moving parts and numerous stakeholders. It’s also an emotive area because it involves the care of our children and has a massive impact on the finances ...
Union agreements are among possible options for implementing childcare pay rise
Brisbane Times - Anna Patty - May 17, 2019Union negotiated wage agreements will be among options a Labor government would consider to implement its $9.9 billion pay rise for up to 100,000 childcare workers. Labor's employment spokesman Brendan O'Connor said "enterprise agreements, of course, would be one of the...
Kids Capers OOSH childcare centre to close at Northbridge
North Shore Times - Steven Deare - May 16, 2019Parents on the north shore are scrambling for alternative childcare arrangements after learning a Northbridge centre will close its doors. The Kids Capers OOSH (out of school hours) centre at Northbridge will close on July 5 due to financial difficulties. Students from Cammeray and Northbridge public schools...
An amazing array of alpaca appreciation for ALIA storytime event
The Sector - Freya Lucas - May 16, 2019The Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA) will again host National Simultaneous Storytime (NSS) in 2019. On 22 May, more than 1 million children will be read aloud the same book, Matt Cosgrove’s Alpacas with Maracas. Each year for NSS a picture book, written and illustrated by...
New attack claims $14bn 'black hole' in childcare wages vow
The Australian - Greg Brown - May 16, 2019The Morrison government has launched an 11th-hour attack on Bill Shorten’s plan to increase wages of childcare workers, claiming the policy could have a $14 billion black hole. A Labor spokesman labelled the Liberal Party analysis as “dishonest and dumb stuff” as campaign spokesman...
Find out how much childcare costs in your suburb
Brisbane Times - Lydia Lynch - May 15, 2019"We were spending my whole income on daycare" and "the cost of childcare makes it pointless to work" are comments one often finds circulating in online parents' groups. The cost of childcare continues to be a major barrier for women returning to work - in Brisbane parents with two children...
Childcare centres back in vogue among investors
Australian Financial Review - Larry Schlesinger - May 15, 2019Investors spent almost $8 million on two childcare centres in regional Queensland at an auction on Wednesday, in a sign of renewed confidence in the specialist sector after warnings last year of a glut of new supply. In Buderim on the Sunshine Coast, a Sanctuary Early Learning centre sold for $4.11 million...
Labor says childcare plan will save 7000 Territorians $2100 a year
NT News - Jason Walls - May 15, 2019The Labor Party says 7000 Territorians will save up to $2100 per child, per year under a Shorten Government. An ALP spokesman said the childcare package the party is taking to Saturday’s election would mean families earning $150,000 a year with two children in care four days a week would be...
ECEC will be on the minds of more than half of Saturday’s voting parents, ELACCA finds
The Sector - Freya Lucas - May 15, 2019More than half of all people of voting age living in families with young children say that early learning education and care (ECEC) will be “a key factor” in determining their vote in Saturday’s Federal election, according to new polling from the Early Learning and Care Council of Australia...
How Australia's maternity leave entitlements compare with the rest of the world
7 News - May 15, 2019The Duchess of Sussex is reportedly taking three months of maternity leave - but she'll most likely return to public life in six weeks for the Queen's official birthday. Back on our shores, Aussie mums are entitled to 18 weeks' leave from the government, paid at minimum wage. But with some studies...
City of Stirling invites feedback on childcare proposals
Stirling Times - Laura Pond - May 15, 2019A childcare centre catering for more than 70 children is proposed for Balcatta. Stirling’s Vinci Constructions and Developments is seeking to build the centre at the corner of Amelia and Cedric streets. It will replace a vacant corner lot and neighbouring existing house on Amelia Street...
Labor says childcare costs have gone up 28 per cent under the Coalition. Is that correct?
ABC News - RMIT ABC Fact Check - May 15, 2019The claim: In announcing its plan to overhaul childcare with a $4 billion funding boost, Labor has sought to blame the government for an increase in childcare fees over the past five years. The Opposition Spokesperson for Early Childhood Education and Development, Amanda Rishworth...
Beyond the dollars: what are the major parties really promising on education?
The Conversation – Kate Noble – May 15, 2019But education remains a key issue, as evidenced by a flurry of education-related announcements in the final stretch of the campaign. Here’s what you need to know about the major parties’ education commitments, and what the millions and billions here and there really mean...
