Child Care News
Men quitting pink collar jobs because they feel stereotyped
University of Queensland - Dr Courtney von Hippel - June 26, 2017Men often appear to have an advantage over women in the workplace, but that is not always the case in female-dominated industries. A study led by University of Queensland School of Psychology researcher Dr Courtney von Hippel has found that men working in 'pink-collar professions' – such as...
Pay parity for teachers: Low-quality preschooling could be hurting year 10 students, experts say
Sydney Morning Herald - Pallavi Singh - June 25, 2017Australia is lagging significantly behind other OECD countries when it comes to the number of three-year-olds enrolled in high-quality preschool programs, which could be affecting students' academic performance up to at least year 10. Pay parity for teachers: Low-quality preschooling could be hurting year...
Educators and advocates say it's good for everyone if more men work in childcare
Border Mail - Janet Howie - June 25, 2017Throughout Australian childcare centres and preschools each day, arriving youngsters are greeted mostly by female, not male, staff members. While quality care is quality care regardless of gender, industry representatives believe increasing the number of men in the sector helps in terms of role...
Child cruelty program intervenes to stop nightmare behaviour in the very young
Daily Telegraph - Jordan Baker - June 25, 2017Her clinic, based at the university, treats children aged between three and seven whose behaviour raises red flags. Many of them have been kicked out of preschools or childcare, and other intervention programs directed at difficult kids have failed. Two-and-a-half years after it began, the program...
Childcare centre cuts rates to allow parents to work more
Herald Sun - Emma Hastings - June 24, 2017A PASCOE Vale South childcare centre is slashing its fees to allow parents to work more days each week. Community Kids Pascoe Vale Early Education Centre is one of four G8 Education Group centres across Australia to cut fees by up to $30.50 a day. Centre manager Gemma Lewis said the decision...
Active Kids Rebate to fund more than traditional sports in anti-obesity drive
Daily Telegraph - Jason Tin - June 23, 2017The state this week announced it would spend more than $200 million over four years on an "Active Kids Rebate" which will allow families to claim a $100 voucher per child each year to reduce the cost of getting their kids active. While the exhaustive list of sports is yet to be finalised, it appears...
Australia is still lagging on some aspects of early childhood education
The Conversation - Kate Torii, Sarah Pilcher & Stacey Fox - June 23, 2017The OECD's latest Starting Strong report provides an update on early childhood education opportunities across the developed world, and a fresh insight into how Australian children are faring. The Starting Strong series, which began in 2001, provides valuable comparisons and analysis of early...
Future Melbourne: Women contribute most to unpaid economy, many struggle to get paying jobs
Herald Sun - John Masanauskas & Charlotte Brundrett - June 23, 2017WOMEN are contributing most to the $565 billion "unpaid economy" but many of them are being held back from getting paying jobs due to geographic isolation, says a new report. The study by business consultant PwC revealed that childcare formed the lion's share of the unpaid economy, with women...
School starting age changes in Tasmania versus Australia
The Examiner - Caitlin Jarvis - June 21, 2017The proposed changes by the government hinge on the definition of pre-school, or Kindergarten, and the first year of formal school, also known as Prep. The current procedure for Tasmanian children is they start their first formal year of school, or Prep, at five years old. They have access to pre...
One-third of preschoolers own smartphones
SBS News - June 21, 2017It appears owning a smartphone or tablet is the new normal for Australian children, raising serious health concerns among pediatricians. The latest Australian Child Health Poll shows one-third of preschoolers and two- thirds of primary school-aged children own such devices and 50 per cent of them...
Big data, ample opportunity: property sector embraces analytics
Financial Review - Nick Lenaghan - June 21, 2017Mall owners such as GPT have begun employing data analytics to understand and influence shoppers. Childcare centre landlord Arena REIT is also looking to use the predictive power of big data to forecast supply and demand. Canadian-listed real estate software player Altus, in a recent visit to...
Frasers signs up Guardian, Corning in Mulgrave business park
Financial Review - Larry Schlesinger - June 20, 2017Frasers Property Australia has secured leasing deals with childcare provider Guardian and specialist manufacturer Corning worth a combined $8.2 million at its business park in Mulgrave in Melbourne's south-eastern suburbs. Guardian, one of Australia's largest childcare providers, has committed to...
Arena nurtures bounty in childcare portfolio
Financial Review - Nick Lenaghan - June 20, 2017Arena REIT has captured more value from the busy market in childcare centres, booking a $23.8 million lift in its portfolio valuation over the past six months. The represents an increase of 4.2 per cent over book value. "It has been an active six-month period with several positive portfolio outcomes...
School starting age changes 'serious issue': Launceston Legislative Council member Rosemary Armitage
The Examiner - Caitlin Jarvis - June 20, 2017Impact of the state government's proposed school starting age on child care and the early education sector will be paramount when Launceston Legislative Council member Rosemary Armitage considers the changes. Ms Armitage and her Legislative Council colleagues are expected to debate the changes...
TAFE director appeals for federal support
Central Western Daily - Danielle Cetinski - June 20, 2017TAFE diploma enrolments have plummeted by half due to red tape and federal intervention is needed to preserve quality training, according to the organisation's managing director. Jon Black spoke out on Tuesday, prompted by skills shortages in construction and early childhood in the state's west...
