May
20
Vic Budget delivers more good news for early childhood sector
In the wake of last week’s Federal Budget, today’s Victorian State Budget brings further good news for the Early Childhood Education and Care sector. The Andrew’s Government has pledged in excess of $407 million in further investment for our sector over the next four years in the form of seven key initiatives. (more…)
May
12
21/22 Federal Budget – A four-year commitment to kindergarten funding is a great stride forward
“After years of advocacy by ELAA and other Early Childhood Education and Care peak bodies, it’s very encouraging that our collective advice to government, based on Australian and International research, appears to have been heard. Our message to government has always been that longer-term funding will give greater certainty to service providers and families,” said ELAA CEO, David Worland.
Nov
25
20/21 Vic Budget keeps up the pace on kindergarten reform
Yesterday’s Victorian 20/21 Budget, reflected a continued commitment to what is most certainly the biggest Government investment in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) Sector in our State’s history. Read our full media release (more…)
Nov
10
Vic kindergarten fee subsidy delivers welcome certainty for 2021
ELAA welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement of 2021 fee subsidies for providers of funded three and four-year-old kindergarten programs (including kindergarten programs in long day care), reduced fees for unfunded three-year-old kindergarten programs, and significant start up grants for newly established Outside School Hours Care programs in government schools (more…)
Oct
08
Federal Budget Maintains Support on COVID but long-term vision for early learning needed
With the handing down of the Australian Government’s 20/21 Budget, Early Learning Association Australia (ELAA) recognises the Government’s continued efforts to maintain targeted and commensurate levels of support to Child Care service providers and the families they serve during a period of severe economic challenge. However, key issues for our sector – such as certainty regarding continued Australian Government funding of the National Partnership on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education and Care – need a long term plan. (more…)
Sep
21
Child Care Recovery Package targets help where it’s needed
The announcement of the Child Care Recovery package by the Australian Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, on the weekend brings some welcome re-assurance for childcare providers and families, particularly those in Victoria. (more…)
Sep
17
Continued kinder fee relief good for children, service providers and parents
ELAA welcomes today’s announcement by the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, and Education Minister, James Merlino of $26.7 million in additional funding for Victorian sessional kindergarten. (more…)
Aug
06
Government lifeline to childcare is welcome but more may be required
“We greatly appreciate that the Australian Government is trying to throw providers a lifeline, save jobs, and free up permitted workers to do their work but these new arrangements are complicated and we may still have childcare providers that fall through the cracks – the question is just how many,” says ELAA CEO, David Worland. (more…)
Aug
04
Second wave in Victoria changes the game for childcare nationally
As Victoria scrambles to adjust to stage four restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and the return of stage three restrictions elsewhere, the question of how to keep the childcare sector afloat remains a national one. (more…)
Jun
24
Extension to Vic kindergarten fee relief welcome but not without risks
ELAA welcomes the announcement by Victorian Minister for Education, James Merlino, of an extension of sessional kindergarten fee relief into Term 3. “The relief payment of $230 per child for the next term will certainly help parents and give services a degree of financial stability although the effectiveness of this support will depend on COVID-19 infection rates and economic conditions trending in the right direction,” said ELAA CEO David Worland.