Child Care News

New rules put community kindies at risk of closure
The West Australian - Rhianna Mitchell - June 29, 2018

Community kindergartens are facing an uncertain future because of increased competition in the early learning sector and new enrolment requirements from the Department of Education. The number of community kindergartens in WA has fallen from 30 to 17 since 2011...

Preschoolers win exemption under new childcare subsidy
Sydney Morning Herald - Jordan Baker - June 28, 2018

Childcare is important to Albie Nesbitt, and not only because it's a chance to play chasing games with his mates. The long daycare centre's preschool program teaches the four-year-old skills he will need to cope with kindergarten. Many parents, Albie's mother among them, had been worried...

Irate parents can't access Centrelink app to make childcare subsidy change
Kidspot - Leesa Smith - June 28, 2018

The new childcare subsidy takes hold on Monday and the Federal Government is happy with the way the new rollout is going. But parents are far from impressed. In fact, they're pulling their hair out because they can't access the Centrelink section in the My Gov site – or when they do...

Experts warn play time is 'disappearing' as emphasis is placed on performance and tests
Perth Now - Rhianna Mitchell - June 28, 2018

Play is "disappearing" in early childhood education, according to a group of experts who say an obsession with preparing children for school has extended to babies and toddlers. A push for a Statewide play strategy, led by the WA branch of Early Childhood Australia, is gathering momentum...

Childcare rebate wall affects 60,000
Yahoo News - Karen Sweeney - June 28, 2018

More than 60,000 families ran out of childcare support with a month to go before the end of the financial year. Almost a million families have made the switch to a new rebate system that will scrap a rebate cap for most families from July 2. But up to 200,000 more still need to make the...

More than 1800 SA families paying full childcare fees after hitting $7613 annual rebate cap
The Advertiser - Sheradyn Holderhead - June 28, 2018

MORE than 1800 South Australian families will save money on childcare when the Turnbull Government abolishes a $7613 annual cap on federal rebates. It comes as Education Minister Simon Birmingham reminds families to sign up to the new subsidies scheme, which comes into effect on...

Investors line up for childcare
The Australian - Ben Wilmot - June 28, 2018

Australia's childcare sector is on the precipice of an investment boom, with a record 101 freehold childcare centres transacting for $404 million around the country last year, according to analysis by Peritus Childcare Sales. The centres in the hot sector traded on an average capitalisation rate...

WA families to be better off as annual childcare cap on rebates gets abolished
Perth Now - Phoebe Wearne - June 28, 2018

THOUSANDS of WA parents will be in a better position to return to work or increase their hours from next week, with the annual cap on rebates to be abolished for 87 per cent of families using child care. Ahead of sweeping Federal Government reforms to child care beginning on Monday...

Buy the childcare boom but be wary: Peritus
Financial Review - Nick Lenaghan - June 27, 2018

But the rush into childcare also has its pitfalls, with the potential for oversupply. Listed players such as Arena REIT have turned to the predictive power of big data to forecast supply and demand. Peritus' Mr Fanous agreed that the industry can support healthy growth rates at a "macro...

Simon Birmingham's childcare suggestion is laughable
Herald Sun - Lanai Scarr - June 27, 2018

PARENTS should just switch childcare centres if they're not happy with how much their provider is charging them. That's the line Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham is rolling out in response to reports on the weekend that childcare centres are jacking up their fees in the lead up...

Final process in childcare subsidy changes could mean families miss out on full rebates
News.com.au - Stephanie Bedo - June 27, 2018

JUST when you thought you were nearly done with sorting out changes around your childcare rebate, there's something that still might catch you out. Even after families have updated their details with myGov - the crucial process necessary to make sure they get the Turnbull Government's...

Huge demand leads to boom in pre-kindergarten programs at Perth schools
Perth Now - Rhianna Mitchell - June 27, 2018

SCOTCH College has become the latest Perth school to introduce an onsite kindergarten program for three-year-olds, where boys and girls wear school uniforms, learn French, art and music and get dirty at a bush school. Huge demand from parents has led to a boom in pre-kindergarten...

MercyCare adds child care centres
Business News WA - Katie McDonald - June 27, 2018

Not-for-profit community services provider MercyCare has purchased five early learning centres from private operator Acacia Hill Childcare for an undisclosed sum, doubling the group's existing sector portfolio...

'Ridiculous' demand for WA au pairs and nannies with trend towards flexible childcare hours
Perth Now - Rhianna Mitchell - June 26, 2018

DEMAND for au pairs and nannies is on the rise in WA, with one agency saying it turns away 10 families a week. Shiftworkers, business owners and families who have fly-in, fly-out workers are driving a trend towards more flexible child care. Sue Pember, director of Perth-based...

Childcare subsidy changes could mean more grandparents are carrying the load
ABC News - Chris Urquhart - June 25, 2018

For some families that will mean they are better off, but for others it will be a lot worse. For families that do take a hit it could put even more pressure on grandparents to help out. Anne McLeish, from Grandparents Australia, said the older generation did an extraordinary job plugging...