Child Care News
Etihad Airways new flying nanny child care service on flights
NEWS.com.au - September 2, 2013ETIHAD Airways is introducing "flying nannies" on flights who will help replenish milk bottles, perform magic tricks and take older children on tours of the galley. The nanny, who will be identified by an orange apron, will be a helping hand to families and unaccompanied children...
Childcare more important than Tony Abbott's paid parental leave scheme: new poll
NEWS.com.au - Jessica Marszalek and Sarah Blake - August 30, 2013REDUCING the cost of childcare is more important to parents that a generous paid parental leave scheme, a poll has found. The Galaxy poll, commissioned by the peak childcare industry body, showed nearly 70 per cent of people believed affordable childcare would make the biggest...
Want a mother's vote? Paid parental leave is not the answer
Women's Agenda - Jen Dalitz - August 30, 2013Ask any working mum about her secret to success and there's one common denominator: access to quality and affordable childcare. Despite existing benefits and the introduction of paid parental leave by the Federal Government, Australian families continue to rate the affordability of...
Childcare more vital than PPL: sector
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - August 30, 2013THE nation's largest childcare provider has declared that increased funding in childcare will increase female workplace participation more than boosting paid parental leave and warned that, without it, parents will be hit with the additional cost of the quality reforms. Goodstart Early Learning will...
Early action is key to improving the lives of all children
Sydney Morning Herald - Anne Hollonds - August 30, 2013Last week I found myself reading the harrowing account of a day in the life of a Family and Community Services caseworker in the Herald. I only made it to "10am" before I had to stop. The memories of my time as a front-line child protection worker came flooding back. I did that job...
Preschool kids, and their mums, see red at cuts plan
Daily Telegraph - Alicia Wood - August 30, 2013THEY may be small but preschool children across the state made their voices heard by the state government, wearing bright red shirts in protest against funding cuts. The government plans to cut the subsidy for three year olds attending preschool from next year, which could push costs up to...
Child-care workers warn Labor, Coalition on wages
Sydney Morning Herald - Matt Wade - August 29, 2013A consortium of more than 130 child-care providers has warned Kevin Rudd and Tony Abbott that child-care prices will rise and the quality of services suffer unless more government funding is made available to boost the wages of child-care workers. A letter to the two leaders - signed by...
Royal nanny 'wanted' for Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William
NEWS.com.au - August 29, 2013BRITAIN'S Duchess of Cambridge has done a U-turn on childcare and is "actively" looking for help. Catherine and her husband William welcomed their son Prince George into the world last month. At first it seemed she was determined to be a hands-on mother - just like her mom Carole Middleton...
NSW preschool fees may double: protesters
The Australian - August 29, 2013PRESCHOOL fees for three-year-olds could double and children may miss out on crucial early education under a new funding model in NSW, a peak body warns. The state government in March announced a change to preschool funding it says will save parents an annual $400 in the city...
Equal pay outranks paid leave
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - August 29, 2013PAY equity, leadership positions and childcare were the issues nominated as the most important in a survey of more than 1000 members of Women on Boards. Paid parental leave was ranked the issue of least importance. The survey was conducted over two weeks by Women on Boards...
Fixing the child care problem: Eva Cox
Women's Agenda - Eva Cox - August 28, 2013There are few issues that are more likely to raise women's passions than access to appropriate early childhood services. While it only affects some women at any one time, the issues tend to stay in the minds of parents for a long time after the need is no longer relevant. Being able to choose...
Coalition softens stance on childcare reform
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - August 28, 2013AN Abbott government would retain the fundamentals of Labor's childcare reforms, a softening of its rhetoric of the last three years attacking the National Quality Framework. It would also deliver wage rises to childcare workers if awarded by the industrial umpire. The Coalition has promised if...
Kate Ellis keeps door open to state run
The Australian - Sarah Martin - August 28, 2013CHILDCARE Minister Kate Ellis won't rule out running for state parliament if she loses her seat. Ms Ellis, who has held the federal seat of Adelaide since 2004, sits on a 7.5 per cent margin and is seen as vulnerable at the election. The 35-year-old, who is married to David Penberthy, editor of...
Academic round table says Abbott's baby pay plan is superior
Financial Review - Joanna Mather - August 28, 2013The Coalition's paid parental leave scheme is superior to Labor's but lacks detail about its implementation, but the Rudd government has better childcare policies, according to 30 leading work and family researchers. The group, the Work and Family Policy Round Table, supports Tony...
Families to get extra childcare
Herald Sun - Phillip Hudson - August 27, 2013ABOUT 800,000 families would receive extra childcare assistance worth an average $1404 a year, or $27 a week, under a Greens plan to overhaul and increase benefits. In a bid to push the major parties to do more to help families facing rising fees and low availability of places, Greens...
