Country's largest private childcare provider does not qualify...

Country's largest private childcare provider does not qualify for new packageBy Eryk BagshawEducation Minister Dan Tehan said the government was having ongoing discussions with the country's largest private childcare provider, which is excluded from the new childcare package.The childcare changes only apply to businesses with under $1 billion in revenue, but Mr Tehan said he would work with the country’s largest private provider, Goodstart Early Learning, to see what arrangements could be made.The company makes $100 million in profit a year.“We will continue discussions with them,” said Mr Tehan.Mr Tehan said unlike the current system, the new package would not be means tested and would replace the current childcare funding platform for the duration of the coronavirus crisis.Under the plan, the federal 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 two weeks leading to 2 March, whether or not they are attending services.