Early learning and child care centres across Cowper have today received major support from the Morrison-McCormack Government to help get them through the coronavirus pandemic.
Federal Member for Cowper Pat Conaghan welcomed the support package as it will help save early educators’ jobs, plus provide certainty to both parents and children during this difficult time.
“I thank the Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Education Minister Dan Tehan for this measure which will effectively see childcare be free during the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
“Assisting child care centres to remain open will ensure the frontline workers our society relies upon – the doctors, nurses, cleaners and other workers – will be able to continue working.
“If you are a client of an early learning or child care centre and have terminated your child’s enrolment since 17 February, I encourage you to get back in contact with your centre and restart your arrangements.
“The Education Minister has said restarting your enrolment won’t require you to send your child to child care and it won’t require you to pay a gap fee, but it will hold your place for when you are ready to take your child back.”
Under the plan, the Government will pay 50 per cent of the sector’s fee revenue up to the existing hourly rate cap based on a point in time before parents started withdrawing their children in large numbers, but only so long as services remain open and do not charge families for care. The funding will apply from 6 April based on the number of children who were in care during the fortnight leading into 2 March, whether or not they are attending services.
Priority will be given to working parents, vulnerable and disadvantaged children that need early education more than ever and parents with pre-existing enrolments.
Port Macquarie’s Discovery Early Education and Care Centre Director Kerrie Rowlandson said the package would help her centre remain open.
“It is a great relief for both the families and our staff that we can continue to provide quality education and care to our family community,” she said.
“Parents will be relieved that they can perform their essential jobs knowing that their children will be engaged in a quality learning program in a safe environment.”
Child care services seeking health and situation information about COVID-19 should contact the 24/7 National Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080. Information is also available from https://www.dese.gov.au/news/coronavirus-covid-19
A range of Federal Government assistance measures had been available to early learning and child care operators already. Most services operate as small businesses, with 79.9 per cent of providers operating a single service, while 95.9 per cent operating fewer than five. The available assistance included:
• The $130 billion JobKeeper payment
• A cash flow boost of at least $20,000 and up to $100,000 with payments equal to 100 per cent of businesses’ and not-for-profits’ salary and wages withheld
• And loan guarantees so businesses can get working capital.
