10 JunELAA CEO update 10 June 2020
Over the weekend, the Federal Government announced its transition plan back to the child care subsidy and replacement of the JobKeeper subsidy for most services with a transition payment.
Dear members,
I hope you are all happy, healthy and well!
The recent return of all children to school is another significant signal that we are starting to see life return to the new normal. As always, the early childhood education and care sector continues to demonstrate its professionalism and resilience to the ever changing health, policy and funding changes. On behalf of ELAA, I’d like to thank all of our members for the incredible work you are doing in supporting children, families and communities at this time.
Over the weekend, the Federal Government announced its transition plan back to the child care subsidy and replacement of the JobKeeper subsidy for most services with a transition payment. Whilst ELAA remains supportive of the Federal Government making plans to transition beyond the Childcare Relief Package, the re-introduction of fees for parents at a time of pandemic induced economic recession is likely to result in reduced usage of child care services and create additional financial pressure for an already strained early childhood education and care providers. A deepening of the recession or a second wave of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic could undermine the benefits attached to the newly announced transition payments.
ELAA continues its Federal advocacy messages confirming that what Australian child care providers and families need right now is certainty that they will be supported well into a post coronavirus (COVID-19) economy. This means creating a funding system that is flexible for providers and ensures child care is affordable for all families well beyond the next three months. If you are interested, here are two recent media engagements I’ve undertaken:
ABC Radio National ‘P.M’ program
ELAA has updated its COVID-19 FAQs with more information on the Federal Government’s Child Care Relief Package roll back announcement. Click here to find out more. At a State level, ELAA’s focus is now shifting to advocating to the Victorian Government to ensure the ongoing sustainability of the sector in Term 3 and beyond. One issue that has been flagged for discussion by members is the likely parent fee gap attached to the financial vulnerability of families now faced with unemployment linked to economic recession.
Amongst the many recent challenges, there have been many positive stories shared by ELAA members with our staff of how well services have responded to working in a pandemic environment. New pedagogical approaches to learning and parent engagement are occurring across the sector. This push for innovation is to be celebrated and has ensured ongoing quality service provision.
Until we speak again, take care and please enjoy this edition of E-News.
David Worland
Chief Executive Officer
