Child Care News
LDC new supply growth at just 2.7%, OSHC sees another big jump says latest NQF snapshot
The Sector - Jason Roberts - August 8, 2022The growth in supply of new long day care (LDC) centres across Australia rose just 2.7 per cent year on year according to the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority’s (ACECQA) latest NQF Snapshot. The result was the second consecutive print...
NSW preschools set for upgrades in $15m government cash splash
The Daily Telegraph - Emily Burley - August 7, 2022There will be an extra 600 places created at 18 community preschools across NSW. The $15 million upgrades to centres will allow hundreds more to attend a program at least two days per week, and cut wait times for prospective families. This will include centres across...
The 6 very distinct phases of your toddler's first week at childcare
MamaMia - Hannah Mansur - August 5, 2022Parenting in the internet age is a constant reminder that my experience is not unique. Yes, every child is special, et cetera, et cetera, but there’s a reason parenting memes are so relatable. Here’s why: we’re all having the same core experience, just in different packaging...
Early Childhood Australia (ECA) lends support to action plan
The Sector - Freya Lucas - August 4, 2022Peak early childhood advocacy body Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has joined Thrive By Five and a broad coalition of unions, educator groups, experts, and advocates for children and parents, to launch the Early Childhood Education and Care Workforce Action Plan...
Fix low wages for ‘women’s work’ before childcare sector falls over: Aged care commissioner
The Sydney Morning Herald - Angus Thompson - August 3, 2022The childcare sector is at risk of experiencing the same fate as aged care and its exodus of underpaid and burnt-out staff unless the federal government funds a wage increase, one of the aged care royal commissioners says. Lynelle Briggs – one of three former commissioners...
ATAGI recommendations on COVID-19 vaccine use in children aged 6 months to <5 years
Australian Government - Department of Health and Age Care - August 3, 2022ATAGI recommends COVID-19 vaccination for children aged 6 months to <5 years with severe immunocompromise, disability, and those who have complex and/or multiple health conditions which increase the risk of severe COVID-19. These include children with the following...
Australia should look overseas for ECEC solutions, new report recommends
The Sector - Freya Lucas - August 2, 2022Australia should look at successful overseas policy options to deliver affordable, quality early childhood education and care (ECEC), a new report from the Australia Institute’s Nordic Policy Centre has recommended. New research has recommended the terms of reference...
CPD creates briefing paper Starting Now to offer roadmap for ECEC reform
The Sector - Freya Lucas - August 1, 2022The Centre for Policy Development (CPD) has created Starting Now, a roadmap for State and Commonwealth cooperation to secure the benefits of early childhood reform. Starting Now recommends a number of actions to ensure that high-quality, accessible and affordable...
‘Massive brake’: Sector says workforce shortages a barrier to progress on childcare
The Sydney Morning Herald - Katina Curtis - July 31, 2022Advocacy groups say dire workforce shortages in childcare need to be overcome if state and federal governments are to achieve their goal of improving outcomes in the sector. With about 6500 job vacancies across early education, experts are also urging governments to...
Desperately short of qualified staff, childcare centres ask to bend the rules
The Sydney Morning Herald - Adam Carey - July 27, 2022More childcare centres are operating without enough qualified early childhood teachers because of a worsening staff shortage that could undermine the federal government’s pledge to make childcare more affordable. The latest data from the national early childhood education...
Securing before and after school care in regional NSW
NSW Government - July 26, 2022Balancing work and life for families in regional NSW will become easier thanks to a $37.9 million investment in before and after school care. Acting Premier Paul Toole and Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell yesterday visited Bulahdelah Central School...
Online event will see ECEC gather to improve cultural safety for First Nations children
The Sector - Freya Lucas - July 26, 2022Hundreds of representatives from across the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector in NSW are expected to attend an online event tomorrow with the aim of improving cultural safety for First Nations children and families. The event will be the first time that ECEC...
Peak bodies CCC and ELAA call off merger discussions post review and feedback
The Sector - Jason Roberts - July 25, 2022Early childhood education and care (ECEC) peak bodies, the Community Child Care Association (CCC) and Early Learning Association of Australia (ELAA), have confirmed in an email to members that the two organisations have called off an exploration as to whether an...
Special grants to support women returning to work in NSW can fund ECEC
The Sector - Freya Lucas - July 22, 2022Women who are returning to work in New South Wales can apply for grant funding which can be used to cover the gap fee for early childhood education and care (ECEC) and other expenses such as education, work appropriate clothing, transport or technology. The $32 million...
Childcare workers to strike nationally amid sector ‘crisis’ with poor pay and working conditions
The Australian - Blake Antrobus - July 21, 2022Childcare workers across the nation will strike amid a “crisis” over poor pay and working conditions which have plagued the early learning sector for years. United Workers Union delegates voted on Wednesday to stage the mass walkout, with the strike to take place...
