Child Care News
'Listening' Tony Abbott dumps paid parental leave scheme plan
The Australian - Dennis Shanahan - January 31, 2015ONY Abbott is expected to effectively dump his "signature" paid parental leave scheme on Monday as part of a revamped childcare and families package in response to demands from Coalition MPs. Facing growing unrest and nervousness within the government, the Prime Minister is expected…
Paid parental leave scheme future in doubt as Tony Abbott insists changes are still being finalised
ABC News - Andrew Greens - January 31, 2015he ABC has been told a final decision was yet to be made on whether to delay the planned start date for the PPL scheme, which Mr Abbott had promised would begin in his first term. On Thursday, Social Services Minister Scott Morrison said he was continuing discussions with the Prime Minister…
Top-end childcare provider urges federal government not to cut childcare rebate
Sydney Morning Herald - Jessica Gardner - January 31, 2015The operator of a rapidly growing network of high-end childcare centres has urged the federal government not to means test the childcare rebate as part of its long-awaited family policy announcement. Brendan McAssey, the owner and chief executive of Only About Children, said a…
Solving the childcare crisis
Sydney Morning Herald - Alexandra Cain - January 30, 2015Why is it so hard to find appropriate childcare? Finding childcare seems so much harder and more expensive here than in any other market. The reasons why have been fully covered elsewhere, so I thought it might be more useful to share a few stories from women who have solved their...
Young children need preschool time as well
Sydney Morning Herald - Lisa Bryant - January 28, 2015Babies and politicians often go hand-in-hand during the lead up to an election. But as many three-year-olds dissolve in tears when they discover they can no longer enrol in their local community-based preschool, the pollies may want to steer clear. At this time of year for the past 30 years...
Paid parental leave faces change
The Australian - Joe Kelly - January 28, 2015JOE Hockey has hinted at the prospect of a broad "reformat" of the government's paid parental leave scheme after Tony Abbott put the policy out for review. Early last month, the Prime Minister said he would be "better targeting" the scheme to ensure the government could deliver more affordable childcare...
Homework in kindergarten sends the wrong message
Sydney Morning Herald - Michele Freeman - January 27, 2015Here is a sentence I wish had never been written: "Children are starting kindergarten less academically prepared than they were three years ago." It is from the latest Auditor-General's report on the education system in NSW. The same report highlights that primary and high...
Anti-vaccination group encourages parents to join fake church
Sydney Morning Herald - Julia Medew - January 27, 2015A controversial anti-vaccination group is encouraging people to sign up to a fake church because it may help them bypass Australia's emerging "no jab, no play" childcare laws. Under the NSW government's 2013 law and the Victorian government's proposed law due to start in 2016...
Childcare costs on the rise
Sydney Morning Herald - Simone Ziaziaris - January 25, 2015Families will have to pay up to 60 per cent more for childcare services, because of greater demand for staff and higher staff qualifications, Child Care NSW has warned. Its president, Nesha O'Neil, said changes to government legislation have increased childcare prices significantly in the past...
New modelling shows parents would save hundreds if PPL cash goes to childcare
NEWS.com.au - January 25, 2015CASH-strapped working families would save hundreds of dollars a month if the federal government diverted $1.5 billion from its paid parental leave scheme and put the money into childcare subsidies. New modelling obtained by News Corp Australia shows working mums and dads could save...
Hands off our kids, daycarers tell MPs
The Australian - Rosie Lewis - January 22, 2014CHILDCARE workers are urging the Abbott government to overturn a new regulation that prevents them from using their workplace to care for their own children. Family Day Care Australia is seeking a disallowance of the legislation introduced last year, and due to come into effect on February 3...
Reverend Fred Nile a childcare dinosaur, critics say, after his latest tweet
Daily Telegraph - Alicia Wood - January 21, 2014CONTROVERSIAL upper house MP Fred Nile has likened childcare centres to "day orphanages", offending mothers and childcare workers only a week after saying on live television that the only man in the Lindt cafe siege was the gunman. Rev Nile, the leader of the Christian Democratic...
Treading carefully on family policy reform
Sydney Morning Herald - Stephanie Peatling - January 17, 2015Gather at the barbecue in any backyard these days and the conversation still swings to the cost and availability of childcare, the hours of a school day versus the hours of a work day and how long it takes to get everyone where they need to be. The political year finished in December with the...
Vaccination rates drop as plan emerges for 'no jab, no play' policy
Herald Sun - Annika Smethurst, Michelle Ainsworth - January 17, 2015The Government has promised a "No Jab- No Play" policy that will require all children to be fully immunised before they can enrol in childcare. "Refusing to vaccinate your child puts both them and other children at risk of dangerous diseases and illnesses," Health Minister Jill Hennessy said...
Queensland prep eligibility entry age changes
Brisbane Time - Kim Stephens - January 15, 2014As many as 5000 Queensland four-year-olds could potentially bypass kindergarten and enrol in prep this year, after an abrupt change to prep and kindergarten eligibility requirements. The Department of Education, Training and Employment announced at the beginning of the year that...
