Off To School… Are You and Your Babies Ready?
Tips for transition from child care to big school! |
 Rather like second timers listening to first time mums going on about routines (hello, when you have another one you realise they just fit in with number one – routine, schmoutine!), mothers with kids already in big school will be sending their little ones off without so much as a sniff this January, wondering what all the fuss is about. In fact they may do a little dance of freedom when they get round the corner!
But for mums sending their babies to school for the first time, the thought of their baby in his or her new uniform alone can bring on uncontrollable sobbing. Apart from the emotional trauma of your child going to school, this time can also herald even more stress on working parents in terms of dealing with short school days as well as the worry that their child may not be quite ready for school. Are you throwing them into a situation they're not ready for so you can get back to work, regain your sanity, your social life or time to do the chores and go to the toilet without an entourage? This is all part of Mother guilt. The first day at child care was just the beginning!
It may all seem daunting but it will quickly pass when you see just how much your baby loves his or her new school and you'll feel so much better if you are prepared and know that both you and your child care ready for the transition to the next phase of your lives…
» Read the full article…
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Supporting Working Parents
What can employers do to help? |
 While last month's survey revealed that employers are starting to get on board with supporting working parents, a recent article in the Sydney Morning Herald showed just how much work there is to be done with some employers and businesses!
The story cites the frequency with which women are sacked for taking maternity leave and told to quit if they cannot juggle work and child care. The employment watchdog Fair Work gets 30 related complaints a week and that some employers think that being supportive to mums is "pandering to their special circumstances".
While the government and workplace bodies are still giving lots of excuses for not sorting the issue of statutory paid maternity leave, many employers still don't understand that if you don't support working mums, mothers will simply leave the workforce, need more state benefits (paid for by the tax payer and businesses), the economy would shrink and many of these stone age businesses will go bust.
» Read the full article…
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New Child Care Reforms
A necessary evil or one step too far in terms of cost to parents? |
 Last week the Federal Government's Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth and Minister for Sport, Kate Ellis, announced plans for a $22million reform for child care centres to improve quality of care in terms of staff numbers, staff qualifications and facilities.
The Government wants carers to boost their qualifications, and a quality rating system and intends push "for lower staff-to-child ratios and tougher quality standards so parents can make informed choices about where they send their kids," according to Ms Ellis.
The current funding arrangements are being examined as part of a Senate inquiry into child care, sparked by the collapse of the nation's largest childcare provider, ABC Learning, late last year.
These latest plans will most likely mean an increase in fees and the news reported this week that child care fees may have to rise by between $16 and $27 per child per day to pay for reforms to increase the number of staff childcare centres must employ.
The Government reforms are directed at improving the quality of childcare by increasing the ratio of staff to children, requiring centres to employ university-trained teachers and requiring all carers to have a qualification.
- Centres currently must provide one staff member for every eight two-year-olds. This will rise to one staff member for every five two-year-olds.
- Childcare centres currently have to provide one staff member for every five babies and this will rise to one carer for every four babies. And all centres with 25 children or more will be required to employ a university-trained teacher.
The reforms are part of a Rudd Government election promise and will be discussed at a Council of Australian Governments meeting on December 6.
Private childcare providers have warned the Federal Government that tens of thousands of childcare places could be lost due to the new reforms. The Australian Childcare Alliance and the Childcare Associations of Australia welcomed improved quality but warned it came at a price.
However an analysis of the reforms conducted by Access Economics estimated they would add just $4 per child per week to the cost of childcare and the Government has argued parents won't have to pay the full cost because 50 per cent of it will be covered by the childcare tax rebate.
Our survey earlier this year revealed that 20 per cent of parents said their child care arrangements had been affected by the current economic climate: 46 per cent of those had changed the number of days they used child care, 22 per cent had changed child care provider due to cost of care, which is on the increase despite the economic downturn and need to support working families.
22 per cent of parents are currently paying over $80 per day (before benefits and rebate) compared to 15 per cent last year; 73 per cent are paying $40-80 per day (increase on last year's 66 per cent) and 29 per cent are paying between $200 and $300 per week (increase on last year's 22per cent) and 29 per cent paying over $300 (increase on last year – 20per cent).
With interest rates on the increase as well, will the new child care reforms push some families over the edge?
What do you think about the latest plans to improve child care in Australia?
» Click here to let us know…
and be entered into a draw to win a babysitter for the night.
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Sun Smart Policies
It’s time for child care centres and parents to review and adhere to their sun smart policies |
 A press article reported this week the case of a mother taking legal action against her child care centre over the appalling sunburn he suffered while in child care. With summer round the corner and temperatures hotting up it's time for parents and child care centres to review their sun protection policies and make sure everyone sticks to them.
Australia has the highest incidence on skin cancer in the world and overexposure to the sun in childhood is known to be a major cause of skin cancer in later life. Child care providers are required to have a sun protection policy and to met sun protection requirements to meet the licensing and accreditation standards set by the NCAC.
The SunSmart Early Childhood Program was set up by the state based Cancer Councils to help child care providers devise and implement sun safe policies. The program can also help child care providers bring out-of-date sun protection policies up-to-date with current recommendations.
» Read the full article…
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Everyday Mum In Profile
Amanda Williams |
 Amanda Williams is a Working Mum working who is studying for a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and is married to Ben. She has a toddler Sam who is nearly 2 and a second child due in April 2010
Not only does she juggle work and family she is building an online financial education service Innergi that provides (online) technical information on areas such as superannuation, estate planning, insurance, investments, tax and debt, as well as lots of other information and services.
Amanda is also offering a special offer to CareforKids.com.au members.
» Read about Amanda…
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Are you an Everyday Mum and want to share your child care experience with others? Tell us your story and receive a special gift from CareforKids.com.au.
Download the questionnaire here and submit to us via email including a photo
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72% Of Aussie Mums Would Say Yes To A Manny!
Demand for mannies is outstripping supply |
Last month we asked readers to answer a quick poll on the latest trend in child care – the male nanny, or Manny as he's commonly known. 72% of mums who responded said yes please, we'd love another man about the house, although only 15% would actually want him to live in!
As we reported last month, a recent article in the UK's London Evening Standard highlighted the growing trend for "mannies" (male nannies) with celebrities and "normal" families. Demand for mannies is outstripping supply.
The main advantages seem to be that you can ask mannies to do anything – whether it's building cubby houses and camps in the garden; shoe shopping at Westfield or sporting and outdoor activities, and they just do, without giving the dark look that says, "Taking the dog out is not in my job description".
» Read the full article…
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Competition - Mooo.com.au
Personalised labels & back to school goodies |
Australian personalised labels and gifts company, Mooo – mooo.com.au – understands that when it comes to baby clothes, children's school gear, christening gifts, Christmas gifts and Birthday gifts - the major shops just stock kids stuff that all looks the same! Mooo's products are all personalised to your children's individual tastes and personalities, making it the perfect online store to find perfect gifts and clothing for kids!
 As well as great ideas for home, party invitations, thank you cards and gifts, Mooo specialises in personalised clothing labels, stickers, identity tags, backpacks and pencil cases – just about everything you might need for back to school or child care and the best thing is you can buy them all online.
Mooo has kindly given five $40 vouchers for our readers to win.
For your chance to win, sum up in 25 words or less how you and your child are shaping up for big school!
Terms & Conditions of entry.
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CareforKids Social
Featured posts |
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ADHD – what's your opinion on medicating children
Working Mums – the incredible balancing act!
Events |
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| November 2009 |
Welcome to the November issue of the CareforKids.com.au newsletter.
November is the month of orientations and parents information evenings for the next year's intake to Kindergarten… we look at ways to help both you and your child are feeling ready for (sniff) big school!
Following our survey on working mums revealing that a huge percentage felt like jacking in the job and working from home, we look at ways both parents and employers can find ways to make the juggle a bit less stressful.
It’s hotting up and with stories in the media about sunburn in child care it’s time for parents and child care facilities to make sure they’ve got their SunSmart hats on.
The intended child care reforms announced last week will mean better standards but most likely more cost to parents. We want to know what you think and give you the chance to win a babysitter for a night out!
We polled you last month on male nannies and what you think… we let you know how many of you would like an extra bloke around the house!
This month's mum in profile is Amanda Williams who has a special offer for our readers interested in educating themselves about financial planning and we have a fantastic competition to win personalised labels and school stuff from Aussie website Mooo.com.au for kids off to school in January.
Until next time.
Roxanne Elliott
CareforKids.com.au®
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Parent Guide Library
Your picks this month… read our most popular articles
Sick Days & Emergency Child care – What do you do with the kids?
Work & Child Care – things to consider
Returning to Work – things to consider
Child care and other strategies for successfully working from home
Finding and employing a male nanny
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Got Some Time Out…
Catch up on back issues of Child Care News
October 2009
September 2009
August 2009
July 2009
June 2009
May 2009
April 2009
March 2009
Feb 2009
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