Child Care News

Child care workers need at least one dose of vaccine by January 8 under vaccinate mandate
The Examiner - Isabel Bird - December 14, 2021

In an eleventh hour announcement by the government, child care workers now have until January 8 to receive a first dose of the vaccine as part of a new vaccine mandate. It means all childcare sector workers including those in long day care, family day care...

Lady Gowrie CEO calls for vaccine mandate throughout Tasmanian childcare sector
The Mercury - Judy Augustine, Cas Garvey and Cameron Whiteley - December 14, 2021

CHILD care workers will have until January 8 to prove they’ve had at least one shot of Covid vaccine, with a mandate soon to be implemented across the sector. Discussions were held between the state government and stakeholders on Monday, just days out...

Fed up with poor VET quality in ECEC? Take a seat at the table and have a say
The Sector - Freya Lucas - December 14, 2021

Representatives from the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector are being called to “take a seat at the table” as part of a fundamental overhaul of Australia’s vocational education and training (VET) system. The call comes as the ECEC sector grapples with...

ELACCA sends message of thanks to ECEC at close of challenging year
The Sector - Freya Lucas - December 14, 2021

The Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) has extended its deep thanks to the thousands of early childhood educators and staff who have rolled up their sleeves to be vaccinated against COVID-19, providing the best protection for the youngest...

Simpler processes for out-of-school-hours care licences
NSW Government - Education - December 13, 2021

Clearer and simpler processes will support quality providers to operate Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) services, following a Department of Education review and streamlining of OSHC licence agreements. The changes allow the Department to more transparently...

COVID-19, bank-poaching inflame skills shortage in childcare centres
Financial Review - Liam Walsh - December 13, 2021

Childcare operators warn that the talent war is getting tougher, with sector giant G8 Education saying pandemic stress and bank poaching has exacerbated departures from the industry. The operators argue they are improving conditions and wages as a way of retaining...

Rainbow Beach kindergarten approved for 2022
The Courier Mail - Ella Doyle - December 13, 2021

A new kindergarten has been approved for the Rainbow Beach State School, with enrolments for 2022 already open. The Rainbow Beach P & C made the announcement on social media on December 6. “Fantastic news!!! We will be having Kindy at Rainbow Beach SS...

Preschool children to benefit from new kindergarten $514 million funding deal
Herald Sun - Susie O'Brien - December 12, 2021

About 330,000 Victorian children will be guaranteed 15 hours of kinder in the year before they start school under a new funding agreement. The $514 million deal signed by the Victorian and Commonwealth governments guarantees four-year-old preschool funds...

Agreement with Commonwealth secures $514 million in ongoing preschool funding for Victorian families
Minister's Media Centre - The Hon Stuart Robert MP - December 12, 2021

The Victorian and Commonwealth governments have signed a preschool funding agreement that will benefit around 330,000 Victorian children in Four-Year-Old Kindergarten over the next four years. The Preschool Reform Agreement confirms up to $514 million of...

What parents want to know when choosing a childcare centre
9Honey - Nikolina Koevska Kharoufeh - Decebember 12, 2021

Sending your child to daycare for the very first time can be nerve-racking. Worrying about whether your little one will be OK without you there, whether they are enjoying themselves and what on earth they are doing all day long. Something that helps ease the nerves...

Early childhood education and care services coming to Wyndham
Star Weekly - December 12, 2021

Wyndham council has entered into lease agreements with four early childhood education and care services. The agreements have been signed with: •KU Childrens Servies (KU) for 6 Congo Drive, Tarneit (Dianella Community Centre) •Early Childhood Management Services...

Major changes to child care support revealed
The Australian - Helena Burke - December 10, 2021

Australia’s childcare fees are set to become more affordable with the removal of the cap on financial assistance for working families. Families earning more than $190,015 have an annual subsidy cap of $10,655 per child each financial year. But from Friday, the federal...

Australia's expensive child care system blamed for declining birth rate, low female workforce participation
Sky News - Dominica Funnell - December 9, 2021

Australia's declining birth rate has been blamed on mammoth child care costs - with the nation also boasting the highest rate of female education in the world but an alarmingly low rate of female participation in the workforce. The high costs of early childhood education...

Mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations under consideration for Tasmanian child care workers
The Examiner - Matt Maloney - December 9, 2021

Public Health will next week make a decision on whether child care workers should be mandatorily vaccinated against COVID-19. It was announced on Thursday that Public Health would consult with the child care sector on the proposal this Monday, two days before...

Community Child Care Fund will make Orange FDC more sustainable
The Sector - Freya Lucas - December 9, 2021

The New South Wales regional town of Orange will use $135,000 in support, via the Federal Government’s Community Child Care Fund, to tackle a major shortage of family day care (FDC) places and provide employment for new daycare providers. The Orange...