Jun
08
Rollback of free childcare bets on swift economic recovery and no second pandemic wave
Today’s announcement by the Federal Government to roll back the Childcare Relief Package re-introduces affordability issues for Australian families and could also compromise the financial viability of early childhood education and care providers should the economic outlook worsen or the nation experience further significant COVID-19 related disruption. (more…)
May
21
Response to Relief Package review needs to address the big question
The Morrison Government’s response to the four-week review of its Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package brings some welcome extra relief for some services but leaves the big question unanswered – will the relief package continue beyond 28 June? (more…)
May
18
Extra cleaning and hygiene funding for kinders is great but more needed
ELAA welcomes the Victorian Government’s announcement of new funding grants to assist funded kindergarten services with cleaning and hygiene costs in Term 2 but looks forward to the grant period being extended and expanded to a wider selection of early childhood education and care services. (more…)
Apr
05
Free sessional kinder in Victoria is just what the doctor ordered
This morning’s announcement by Victorian Minister for Education, James Merlino, of $45 million in extra funding to provide parents with free kindergarten during Term 2 represents a necessary and common-sense response from the Victorian Government. (more…)
Apr
04
Early Childhood sector welcomes Commonwealth relief but now looks to States to bridge kinder gap
ELAA welcomes the announcement of the Commonwealth Government’s Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package that enables families to stay enrolled with their chosen childcare provider during the coronavirus (COVID 19) emergency. (more…)
Mar
26
Governments need to work together to avert the collapse of the early childhood education and care sector
The coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic has proved a massive disruptor to Australia’s early childhood education and care sector, with increasing service closures, reduced attendance and immediate financial insolvency risks for many service providers. These trends are hugely concerning to an already under-valued early childhood workforce that is facing the prospect of unemployment unless financial support to service providers is made available immediately. (more…)
