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The Federal Government’s Cheaper Child Care Bill, proposing a number of changes to improve the affordability, accessibility and transparency of early childhood education and care, passed through parliament last Wednesday. These changes will apply from the first CCS fortnight of the income year starting on 1 July 2023.
The key policy changes contained within the Bill include:
The Bill also introduces financial reporting requirements for providers operating 25 or more services, to better identify, monitor and mitigate risks posed to the viability of providers who have a significant sector presence.
Additionally, the Bill includes a requirement that all service providers collect gap fees via electronic funds transfer only, and good governance will become an eligibility requirement for provider approval.
However, Family Day Care Australia (FDCA) has confirmed with the Federal Department of Education that educators will continue to be able to collect gap fees on behalf of the provider, through electronic funds transfer.
FDCA is currently working with the Department of Education to develop communications relating to this measure and what it means for family day care. Keep an eye on your inbox over the coming weeks for more information.
To read the Bill in full, follow the link above or click here.
On 23 November, SNAICC - National Voice for our Children, released the 2022 Family Matters Report. This is the third in a series of Family Matters reports published following the development of the National Agreement on Closing the Gap (the National Agreement), which was entered into in July 2020.
The Family Matters Report measures trends relating to the over-representation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children in out-of-home care in Australia, and calls on the State and Federal Governments to support child wellbeing, development and safety responses that are led by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices.
Under the National Agreement, governments across the country are committed to making decisions in genuine partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and organisations, and developing data and monitoring outcomes with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
You can read a snapshot of the Family Matters data here or access the full report via this link. You can also access the official Family Matters website, which is a broader national campaign to ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children grow up safe and cared for, surrounded by their family, community and culture.
An initiative of Everymind, Ahead for Business is an online hub supporting small business owners to take action on mental health and wellbeing.
Ahead for Business has a dedicated family day care industry community that hosts articles, a discussion forum and online programs specifically tailored to helping educators implement wellbeing strategies and create mentally healthy spaces in the family day care sector.
Visit the community here for ideas and information that can assist your business, your service, your community and - most important of all - yourself!
Take part in a study by Deakin University researchers investigating health and behaviour in early childhood settings, by completing a short online survey.
The study aims to help understand the current levels of confidence, knowledge, and skills of early childhood professionals, and further inform the types of support and professional learning experiences that educators may want or need in their environment.
The survey is free to access and all participants will have the opportunity to enter a draw for one of 50 x $50 supermarket e-gift vouchers (Coles or Woolworths).
Click here to lend your voice to this important research project.
When educators and services insure with FDCA, they become part of the largest community of family day care professionals across Australia.
Our insurance packages include access to all the benefits of membership to support you and your business to thrive, including:
Trusted by educators and services for over 30 years, FDCA’s insurance packages will give you and your business the best possible protection - so that you can get on with the important job of providing quality education and care to children.
If you’d like to learn more about accessing your member benefits, or to simply have a chat with our friendly support staff, please call us on 1800 659 699 or send us an enquiry at enquiries@fdca.com.au.
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