Child Care News
Nannies fight back over 'glorified cleaners' stereotype
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - May 12, 2012STUNG by slurs depicting them as nothing more than untrained babysitters and glorified cleaners, a group of nannies has formed a professional lobby group to fight for regulation and ultimately government subsidies for the work they do caring for children in homes. The new group says...
Preschoolers to learn second language under Tony Abbott and the Coalition
Courier Mail - Steven Scott - May 11, 2012EVERY preschool child would have to study a foreign language if the Coalition wins the next election, as part of Tony Abbott's vision to help prepare Australia for the Asian boom. And within a decade, 40 per cent of Year 12 students would be studying a second language...
Parents to go 'from welfare to poverty'
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - May 11, 2012While the government thinks it is saving money, it may end up spending money in increased childcare rebates and childcare benefit allowances for the hours children will be forced into care. The government is hoping to save close to $700 million over four years by pushing...
Childcare - The role for nannies
ABC Radio - Daniel Horsley - May 10, 2012Should Nannies be part of the childcare system? Tony Abbot's said recently he would offer the childcare rebate for nannies if elected. How are nannies trained and what would be the benefits of this proposal? Tony Arthur discussed this with Louise Dunham, who is Managing Director of...
Greens childcare plan passed
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - May 10, 2012A GREENS motion that the Productivity Commission be directed by the government to inquire into childcare funding, including for nannies, has passed the Senate with Coalition support. Greens spokeswoman for early childhood education and care Sarah Hanson-Young called on the...
Sacred political cows were spared the axe
Financial Review - Fleur Anderson - May 10, 2012The budget papers show childcare assistance, worth $4.43 billion next financial year, will grow 15.3 per cent in real terms from 2012-13 over the following four years, an average of almost 5 per cent a year. "The increase in expenses reflects the growing use of childcare services and...
Coalition backs child inquiry
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - May 9, 2012THE Coalition is likely to join the Greens' move in the Senate for a Productivity Commission inquiry into childcare, including the rebate and nanny care funding. Sussan Ley, opposition childcare spokeswoman, said yesterday she had spoken to the Greens and was strongly leaning to backing an inquiry...
Funds to help get parents working
AdelaideNow - Ken McGregor - May 8, 2012THE Federal Government has committed to investing an extra $225 million in paying childcare fees for parents on income support who are studying or trying to find work. The Government expects 130,000 Australian parents to access the funding, which will be released over the next four years...
Greens will move in senate for inquiry as expanding the rebate is not the silver bullet
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - May 8, 2012THE Greens will this week move in the Senate for a Productivity Commission inquiry into the federal government's funding of childcare services, including a review of the childcare rebate and benefit and the funding of nanny care. The Greens' spokeswoman for early childhood education and care...
Cash bonus for school kids not a done deal
The West Australian - Andrew Tillett - May 8, 2012Julia Gillard is yet to win support from key crossbenchers or the coalition for her showpiece pre-Budget announcement to shower hundreds of dollars on families with school-aged children. The Federal Government will rush legislation into Parliament this week so that it can pay the SchoolKids Bonus...
Government failing working mothers: survey
Ninemsn.com.au - May 7, 2012One in two women believe the federal government is failing mothers returning to the workforce, a survey has found. The poll of 640 women, conducted by The Heat Group, found 48 per cent rated as "inadequate" government support for mothers going back to work. Only one in four are confident...
Nanny Louise gets international honour
Melbourne Weekly - May 7, 2012KEW'S own super nanny Louise Dunham was the only Australian awarded an International Nanny Association service award pin at the 2012 INA Annual Conference last week. Dunham received the pin in recognition of 20 years of commitment to professional excellence in the in-home child care industry...
Ellis comes out fighting on childcare fees
The Australian - Patricia Karvelas - May 7, 2012CHILDCARE Minister Kate Ellis vowed yesterday to fight the "scaremongering" over childcare fee rises, saying if the cost is a factor for families deciding to have more children they should be told the "facts"-- that care has never been more affordable. Her comments come after a survey...
Schools stagger under young burden
The Age - Caroline Milburn - May 7, 2012SCHOOLS are wilting under the burden of trying to help almost 47,000 children starting prep with behavioural and other developmental problems, according to the paediatrician in charge of Australia's national data base on child health. Associate Professor Sharon Goldfeld says...
Scheme to level playing field for children gets boost
Brisbane Times - Phillip Coorey - May 7, 2012A TUTORING program that helps disadvantaged children to start school on an equal footing with others will receive an extra $56 million in tomorrow's federal budget, benefiting an extra 3000 children. The Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters, commonly known as HIPPY...
