Child Care Reforms

An extract from a blog written by one of Australia's most respected early childhood education and care experts.

As we heave ourselves over the line into 2018, the year that will see the introduction of this new legislation, I wanted to highlight an issue I am worried is not getting anywhere near enough attention.

One of the foundations of the reforms is a move to hourly billing. If you only look at this at a surface level, it seems innocent enough. Full day ECEC services currently charge a daily fee, but children may only attend for 8, or 6, or 4 hours. Why should families pay for a full day if their child isn't attending for 10-11 hours? That's unfair right?

Education Minister Simon Birmingham certainly thinks so.

"It is unacceptable that families who routinely need and use only four, six or eight hours of care are charged for 10 or 12 hours" he told The Australian. "Offering more flexible options is especially important where children are primarily accessing services for early learning outcomes, rather than requiring Childcare that supports families juggling work commitments. - The Australian 23 November 2015.

And again in early 2017.

But what we don't want to see is a situation where taxpayers are being asked to pay for care and support that aren't frankly being used or subsidised. There is no point the tax payer subsidising and families having to subsidise care that isn't actually being utilised. - Doorstop interview, 8 February 2017.

The blog is more focused on the impact of educators being moved into casual roles, rather than reducing subsidised revenue from the government.

This is the flexible option that Simon Birmingham keeps reminding us all about.


IMO & DYOR