Parents in Melbourne have had mixed reactions to a federal government scheme designed to help get kids back into childcare once Victoria's coronavirus crisis eases.
“Knowing that my son is safe and very well cared for - it takes my mind off it at work. It is one less thing I need to worry about at the moment,” she told SBS News. Education Minister Dan Tehan said the move would help keep families enrolled in the childcare system. Fiona Sherlock, the centre manager at the Ashwood Children’s Centre in Melbourne's south east, said the city's prolonged lockdown was creating a heavy financial burden. “We will take any type of relief we can get at the moment to ensure our service can continue to open its doors.”However, Early Childhood Australia CEO Samantha Page said the complexity of the government’s response meant some parents could remain uncertain about costs.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews on Wednesday apologised to families for the new restrictions, which require workers to apply for a childcare permit.
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Coronavirus Victoria: Parents to get 30 more fee-free days of childcare to ward off exodusBREAKING: Parents who are blocked from using childcare services over the next six weeks of lockdown will be given 30 extra days of 'allowable absences', or fee-free days, to prevent a damaging mass exodus from early education. We don’t need it if we staying home from Corona. The health department shall be also raised awareness that Covid-19 can be spreaded through food suppliers like meat plants, groceries, restaurants, icecream factories etc.
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Federal government finalising plan for Melbourne childcare centres during lockdownAll options are on the table as the Morrison government finalises a plan to help childcare centres facing stifling stage four restrictions in Melbourne.
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Melbourne childcare providers 'breaking down on the phone' in desperate wait for answersChildcare operators in Melbourne are desperately chasing answers from governments over which of their clients will be able to drop their children off for care, and whether there will be any support for them from the Commonwealth. Same thing from Educators. They support stopping the virus - but years of being the forgotten workforce has left them feeling helpless, casualised and poor. One put it, ‘Everyone talks, but no one acts. A quick ‘thanks’ from the Prime Minister wont keep my landlord off my back’. Our centre had to close down for the rest of the week as they didn't know who would be accepting.
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Childcare, babysitting and some other questions Melbourne is asking during lockdownIn his coronavirus briefing, Premier Daniel Andrews stopped short of announcing details of the new measures around Melbourne childcare centres and families. But here's what we know. Support for childcare workers, no job seeker payment for them. I don't imagine there is a shortage of childcare places atm... but I am sure comrade Dan will have the answers :)
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Confused about child care in Victoria? We've broken down what's going on for youWith childcare changes on the way for families in parts of Victoria during stage 4 restrictions, the State and Federal governments have today revealed more detail about their plan for the sector. LiamMcNicholas Sad that journos have to do this rather than bureaucrats and politicians who designed the complexity!
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Victorian parents given reprieve of childcare costs | Sky News AustraliaEducation Minister Dan Tehan has announced Victorian childcare centres will give parents an additional 30 days of allowable absences for their children amid stage four lockdowns. \n\nUnder the scheme, children forced to stay home due to restrictions will be able to do so at no extra cost and stay enrolled at their childcare centre. \n\n“That means if you’re not in a position to be able to send your child to care, you can use those absences, providers can waive the gap fee so there will be no cost to you for keeping your child enrolled while you can’t access child care for the next 30 days,” Mr Tehan said.\n\n“So that’s 30 days, additional allowable absences, on the already, on top of the 42 days we’ve already allocated for that.”\n\nMr Tehan said the government was asking centres to waive the gap fee however the decision was ultimately up to the provider. \n\n“But what this package does is incentivise providers to waive the gap fee,” he said. \n\n“Because what that means is enrolments will stay strong, they will also get access to the childcare subsidy and also to that additional 5% top-up payment.\n\n“As I’ve said, that should give, on average, all centres revenue of between 80 to 85% based on that pre-COVID fortnight period.”\n
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