Child Care News

Hackers say they've gained access to surveillance cameras in Australian childcare centres, schools and aged care
ABC Science - James Purtill - March 11, 2021

A group of hackers claims to have breached a popular surveillance company and gained access to live feeds from thousands of cameras around the world, including Australian childcare centres, schools and aged care residential facilities. The cameras, sold by Silicon Valley ...

What Investors See in a ‘Highly Fragmented and Under-Teched’ Early Childhood Education Market
Edsurge - Tony Wan - March 11, 2021

With widespread lockdowns and closures last year, the critical role that schools and child care centers play in supporting children may never have been clearer. As it turns out, society is not as productive when working parents don’t have child care. That fact is not lost ...

Hurstville preschoolers recycle for charity using Return and Earn
The Leader - Merryn Porter - March 11, 2021

A Hurstville early learning centre is teaching children about recycling, one bottle at a time. Jenny's Kindergarten & Early Learning Hurstville has been encouraging its young charges to bring in empty bottles, which are then recycled at a local Return and Earn facility ...

Parents in Education Grants proving invaluable at SA preschools
The Sector - Jason Roberts - March 11, 2021

A South Australian Department of Education initiative to help support parent learning is proving invaluable to educators, parents and children in preschools, and schools, across the state. Known as Parents in Education Grants, the scheme is designed to provide funding to support ...

Weston Creek Children’s Centre: Emma Morton hit with fresh fraud charges
Daily Telegraph - Craig Dunlop - March 10, 2021

The former director of Weston Creek Children’s Centre has been hit with 26 fresh fraud charges totalling more than $170,000. Emma Louise Morton showed little emotion during her brief appearance in the ACT Magistrates Court on Tuesday. Appearing by video link from Canberra’s prison...

Health warning as gastro outbreak spreads across Victorian childcare centres
9News.com.au - Carly Waters - March 10, 2021

Gastro is spreading across childcare centres in Victoria, with cases up four times from the five-year average. Victoria Health issued a warning yesterday and urged parents to keep sick children home amid "the rapid rise in outbreaks". A Department of Health alert released yesterday said...

Childcare fees are stopping these families from working. Here's what could help
ABC Radio National - Anna Kelsey-Sugg and Bec Zajac for Life Matters - March 10, 2021

Mother of two Jana Firestone says she isn't asking for handouts. "We don't expect to be given a free ride," she tells ABC RN's Life Matters, but says her childcare centre's fees became "simply impossible" to pay when they were increased earlier this year to $157 per child, per day ...

Banks await Anchorage’s nod on Affinity sale
The Australian - Bridget Carter - March 9, 2021

Investment banks are expected to find out in the coming days if they have won a role advising Anchorage Capital Partners on a possible sale of its Affinity Education childcare business, estimated to be worth about $700m. Some say US-based investment bank Morgan Stanley ...

Victoria experiencing surge in gastroenteritis cases at childcare centres
news.com.au - Evin Priest - March 9, 2021

Victorian health officials have issued an urgent gastroenteritis outbreak alert for childcare centres with the return to school sparking case numbers four times higher than the five-year rolling average. Parents and carers have been recommended to keep young children at home ...

Think Childcare confirms departure of Chief Financial Officer
The Sector - Jason Roberts - March 9, 2021

Think Childcare has confirmed that Jenny Saliba, Chief Financial Officer, will be departing the Group effective 30 April 2021. Ms Saliba joined Think in April 2018 at which point the Group had around 43 early childhood education and care (ECEC) services and was forecast to generate ...

Calvary Hospital staff brace for Bruce childcare centre closure
Canberra Times - Sarah Landsdown - March 9, 2021

Front-line workers fear a Bruce childcare centre will be forced to close its doors if a new lease isn't signed by the end of the month...

‘Louder calls to improve gender equality’: push for female federal budget focus
The Sydney Morning Herald - Jennifer Duke - March 8, 2021

A pink-collar recovery built on childcare reforms, superannuation and female-focused stimulus measures is being demanded by leading researchers to help women recover from the coronavirus pandemic. Economists, think tanks and industry groups are using International Women’s ...

Childcare costs drag women's nest egg
Financial Standard - Karren Vergara - March 8, 2021

Reducing childcare costs could be the solution to improving retirement outcomes for women, a new survey shows. Three-in-four superannuation members argue that improving access to childcare or making it more affordable could lead to a significant difference in retirement...

Special offer for Pre-school Learn to Swim Programs
Mirage News - March 8, 2021

Swimming is an invaluable life skill in Australia and it is best to learn young. The Pre-school Learn To Swim Programs at Peninsula Leisure Centre, Toukley Aquatic Centre and Gosford Olympic Pool are second to none and for a limited time only new participants will receive their ...

AMA head speaks out about the need for flexible care for Australia’s frontline workers
The Sector - Jason Roberts - March 8, 2021

Dr Helen McArdle, Chair of the Australian Medical Association (AMA) equity inclusion and diversity committee, has spoken out about the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on women, calling for the immediate adoption by the Commonwealth Government of flexible and affordable ...