Child Care News
Childcare changes to worry stay-at-home parents and those who earn too much
News.com.au - Stephanie Bedo - June 6, 2018WHILE many Australian families have been quick to applaud the changes to childcare because they'll be slightly better off, other are still confused or have realised they'll get nothing. From parents who are $70 worse off each week, to those who will pocket about $40 extra, situations vary...
Centrelink to simplify childcare payments
ABC Mornings with Leon Compton - June 6, 2018Centrelink Spokesperson Hank Jongen says the new childcare payments regime will replace the current system with a single fortnightly payment available directly to the childcare provider. Jongen also responds to issues of large delays in processing claims for aged care pensions and other payments...
35 per cent of Queenslanders not signed up to new childcare subsidy
Brisbane Times - Lucy Stone - June 6, 2018With only four weeks until federal childcare subsidies switch to a new system, about 35 per cent of Queensland families have not yet signed up. Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said he was not disappointed by the slow uptake but urged families to update their details as soon as...
Education Minister Simon Birmingham: Act now to take advantage of childcare changes
The Courier Mail - Simon Birmingham - June 6, 2018MUMS and dads across the country know exactly how important their childcare centre is, not just for their child but for their family. Day care means being able to go to work or study. It means knowing your child is being well looked after while they're also learning important...
'Every single parent is outraged': Fury at CBD childcare centre closure
Canberra Times - Timothy Cox & Clay Lucas - June 6, 2018The city centre's only publicly run childcare centre – in a street that's at ground zero for the CBD construction boom – is set to be abruptly shut by Melbourne City Council. The council says the noise and dust caused by the construction work, parking issues and the fact that...
Granny brigade rides to rescue
The Coffs Coast Advocate - Greg White - June 6, 2018WITH the cost of childcare rising more Coffs Coast parents are turning to the grandparents for assistance in a bid to save much needed time and money. The Coffs Harbour Economic Profile (CHEP), using data from the 2016 Census, shows 4,806 people in the city provide unpaid...
Investors pay premium for childcare centres
Sydney Morning Herald - Simon Johanson - June 6, 2018Investors continue to pay a premium for childcare with a centre at 359-361 Chesterville Road selling for $5.6 million to an offshore buyer. Savills Australia's Julian Heatherich, Benson Zhou and Mark Stafford brokered the deal for the Think Child Care-operated centre...
ACT Budget: Canberra is going to get three new public schools
Canberra Times - Sherryn Groch - June 5, 2018As the Commonwealth pulls out of national funding agreements on childcare regulation, the ACT government has also unveiled $1.5 million to develop a new early childhood strategy, focussing on cost equity for families as well as beefing up staff numbers at the territory''s regulator, CECA...
Chinese private equity eyes Aussie wastewater, medical deals
Financial Review - Michael Smith - June 4, 2018"We want to help more Australian companies to expand their business in China," Mr Wang told The Australian Financial Review, saying the company also looked at deals in childcare, medical care and a technology company. "In China, medical care and education all have good...
Queensland child abuse reporting up as Townsville toddler's tragic death leaves lasting legacy
Townsville Bulletin - Clare Armstrong - June 4, 2018REPORTING of suspected child abuse by Queensland childcare workers has increased by almost 40 per cent since a law adopted after the death of a Townsville toddler was introduced. The number of calls from early childhood personnel to the Department of Child Safety rose...
Walter and Eliza Institute of Medical Research gets $10m childcare centre to aid workforce
Herald Sun - Brigid O'Connell - JUne 4, 2018A NEW $9.9 million childcare centre will help female researchers, working on cracking cures and developing better medical treatments, stay in the workforce after giving birth. The Walter and Eliza Institute of Medical Research now owns the first on-site childcare centre...
Grandparents stepping up as costs of childcare bite
Sydney Morning Herald - John Collett - June 3, 2018Australian grandparents are contributing the equivalent of $3.94 billion annually in childcare costs, by minding their grandchildren, according to the survey of 1000 people conducted by comparison site Mozo. The typical, or median, amount of childcare provided by grandparents is...
Childcare worker banned from working with children after husband hit boy, 4
The Sunday Telegraph - Linda Simalis - June 3, 2018A CHILDCARE worker whose husband allegedly hit a four-year-old boy in her care across the face for being "naughty" has been banned from working with children. The registered council family daycare education was reported to the NSW Children''s Guardian after the boy's aunt complained...
Early Years Care childcare centres vows to fight government sanctions
Illawarra Mercury - Desiree Savage - June 3, 2018Up to 85 child care jobs are at risk and parents have fears over future care after a Barrack Heights-based family day care network was notified of the Government's intention to impose sanctions for non-compliance. Director of Early Years Care Marie Armstrong Smith vowed to fight...
Pressure on working mums at a 'tipping point' but dads are stepping up… slowly
Sunday Herald Sun - Wendy Tuohy - June 2, 2018And she said 20 years of research had shown the demands on mothers domestic and care roles had not changed. "Difficulty juggling the demands of work and home doesn't go away as children get older, family-friendly policies are focused on the early years, but the data is showing...
