Child Care News

Sister organisation of World Bank launches working group to develop childcare support guidelines
The Sector - Jason Roberts - October 31, 2018

Under an initiative led by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) - a member of the World Bank Group and sister organisation of the World Bank - a wide range of stakeholders has come together to develop a set of guidelines designed to ensure safe and good quality care...

NSW StEPS program celebrates 10 years of free eye tests for children
The Sector - Lyndsie Clark - October 31, 2018

Almost 700,000 preschoolers in New South Wales have benefited from free eyesight screenings thanks to a $4 million annual statewide program now celebrating its 10th anniversary. Associate Professor Elisabeth Murphy, Senior Clinical Advisor, Child and Family Health said...

Political rogue standing in way of more 'grassroots' candidates
Financial Review - Rosalind Dixon - October 31, 2018

Section 44 raises thorny questions the High Court is yet to resolve. Does a doctor receiving Medicare payments, for example, have an "agreement" with the Commonwealth or hold "an office of profit" under the Crown? The better view is probably not. If the receipt of childcare subsidies...

Childcare centre in Nerang on Gold Coast snapped up by Brisbane investor for $6M
Gold Coast Bulletin - Alister Thomson - October 31, 2018

A NEWLY built childcare centre in Nerang has been snapped up by a Brisbane-based investor for $6 million in a sign that strong interest remains in the sector despite fears of an oversupply. The 114-place centre at 169 Beaudesert-Nerang Rd was built and sold on a 6 per cent...

Alouette childcare centre sold in confidential sale, will close in January
The Daily Telegraph - Lauren Frias - October 31, 2018

CROWS Nest parents are seeking answers, after a local childcare centre was sold to a mystery developer and will close in January. Alouette Daycare was sold in late August with the neighbouring residence on Rodborough Avenue, taking the business owner Julie Ritzau by surprise...

Mum's anger at inaction on 'poor child care' at Camp Australia
The West Australian - Liam Croy - October 31, 2018

How many times can a childcare provider be fined for safety breaches before the authorities consider taking more drastic action? That is the question a Perth mother is asking after Camp Australia received its biggest fine yet. Leanne Scott contacted The West Australian yesterday...

UNICEF report finds national wealth does not guarantee education equality: Australia languishes in the bottom third of countries ranked
Unicef - Brinsley Marlay - October 30, 2018

Australia has been ranked against 40 other high income countries in relation to equality in the three stages across our education system - in pre-school, primary school and secondary education - and been placed in the bottom third...

Families savour new child care meal service
The RiotAct - Rachel Ziv - October 30, 2018

Earlier this month, Artemis Early Learning in Fyshwick launched a unique new takeaway service for families that is delighting parents and fussy eaters alike. The service allows parents and staff to pre-order meals from the centre in child and adult portions, escaping the need to think...

Two more serious breaches at Perth childcare centres
Community News - Greg Johnston - October 30, 2018

TWO children, aged one and two, wandered away from separate childcare centres and were found by the public during May this year. In one case, a two-year-old boy ran in front of a car on Grosvenor Road in North Perth after he pushed over some temporary fencing to leave a centre...

Childcare group Camp Australia cops $210,000 fine for overcrowding
The West Australian - Tim Clarke - October 30, 2018

A childcare provider with a string of previous fines for safety breaches has copped its biggest sanction yet, fined $210,000 for keeping two sets of books to hide that it was looking after more kids than its licence permitted. Camp Australia has run foul of the licensing authorities...

Strathmore Heights Kindergarten to stay after maintenance reassessment
Moonee Valley Leader - Rachel Clayton - October 30, 2018

PARENTS are celebrating the saving of a Strathmore kindergarten, seven years after a report recommended the site be shut down. Moonee Valley Councillors last week voted to allocate $500,000 to undertake maintenance and remedial works of Strathmore Heights Kindergarten...

GoodStart 2018 earnings: says occupancies rise, bucking industry trends
The Courier Mail - Liam Walsh - October 29, 2018

AUSTRALIA'S biggest childcare operator GoodStart says it has bucked industry trends and lifted occupancy levels. The increase at Brisbane-based GoodStart, a not-for-profit venture, comes despite an oversupply of childcare facilities weakening attendance figures at rival operators...

Mirvac secures two tenants for Olderfleet project in Melbourne
The Australian - Elizabeth Redman - October 28, 2018

"With more and more people working flexibly, and outside the traditional hours of nine to five, a convenient childcare option was paramount for the tenants." The childcare centre can host 130 children and will have half its play areas inside and half outside, featuring natural light...

Section 44 is costing us quality candidates: Nationals
The Australian - Rosie Lewis - October 28, 2018

University of NSW constitutional lawyer George Williams said it was "fairly common" for small business people to enter into arrangements with the commonwealth, noting regulated industries such as pharmacy and childcare could impose a major financial barrier to a person standing for office...

Nursing home day care room gives residents a boost and children 'nannies and poppies'
ABC News - Peta Doherty - October 27, 2018

A day care room in the dementia wing of a NSW nursing home is lighting up the lives of its residents and reinforcing research that there are also mutual benefits for the children. Staff at Imlay House, on the NSW far south coast, have watched their kindy club give residents a sense of purpose...