tag:theconversation.com,2011:/es/topics/early-education-and-care-84916/articlesearly education and care – The Conversation2020-07-16T20:06:17Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1425572020-07-16T20:06:17Z2020-07-16T20:06:17ZIncreasing the childcare subsidy will help struggling families — and the economy<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/347827/original/file-20200716-31-ldlfsn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/1078168355">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>In April, the federal government put in place an <a href="https://theconversation.com/free-child-care-to-help-nearly-one-million-families-especially-workers-in-essential-services-135439">emergency relief package</a> to support families and operators in the early childhood education and care sector, as many people pulled their children out of childcare. </p>
<p>The government provided centres with around 50% of their revenue based on enrolment numbers between February 17 and March 2, on the basis parents weren’t charged any fees. Services were also able to access JobKeeper for eligible employees.</p>
<p>This <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/13/free-childcare-ends-as-tax-refunds-start-rolling-out-to-millions-of-australians">package came to an end on Monday</a>. Parents will now resume paying fees and the government will resume paying the childcare subsidy.</p>
<p>There is additional flexibility for parents in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell shire – the Victorian areas under stage 3 restrictions – where services can temporarily waive fees for parents if children are not attending care.</p>
<p>There will also be a transition period across the country. JobKeeper payments will cease and be replaced by a transition payment for services — 25% of their February revenue. </p>
<p>But going back to pre-COVID-19 settings — even with modifications — is risky.
Australia’s existing childcare subsidy system is not fit-for-purpose in the context of COVID-19.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.vu.edu.au/mitchell-institute/early-childhood-education/increasing-childcare-subsidies-would-support-children-families-the-economy">Our analysis</a> shows many families who have lost income or jobs will be worse off when the subsidy system restarts. Many parents have relied on fee-free childcare to keep children engaged in early learning and maintain stability throughout the crisis. </p>
<p>A <a href="https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/theparenthood/pages/20/attachments/original/1590987325/200601_-_Full_survey_data_case_against_snap_back_MR.pdf?1590987325">survey conducted in May</a> found 42% of families were experiencing income loss. Of these, nearly two-thirds would need to reduce childcare days or remove their child altogether from early learning once parent fees were reintroduced. </p>
<p>Our analysis shows the government should increase the childcare subsidy for families on low to medium incomes — either temporarily or permanently. This would involve increasing the highest subsidy rate from 85% to 95%. </p>
<p>Families on a combined income under $173,163 would benefit, with those on the lowest incomes benefiting most.</p>
<h2>The high costs of childcare</h2>
<p>Before COVID-19 hit, early childhood education and care in Australia was already bordering on unaffordable. Fees absorb nearly <a href="https://data.oecd.org/benwage/net-childcare-costs.htm">one-fifth of many families’ household incomes</a>.</p>
<p>Even after government subsidies, many parents pay <a href="https://www.vu.edu.au/mitchell-institute/early-childhood-education/parents-spend-more-on-childcare-than-on-private-school">more to have a child in early learning</a> than they would to send a child to a private primary school.</p>
<p>So far, the government has announced several small changes to the pre-COVID arrangements once fees resume.</p>
<p>There will be a temporary easing of the activity test for 12 weeks from July 13. This means families working and studying less can access more hours of subsidised childcare. But they’ll still need to pay at least 15% of childcare fees.</p>
<p>The additional childcare subsidy also provides temporary free childcare to families experiencing significant financial hardship. But it is unclear who will be eligible, and current data shows that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jul/15/coalition-urged-to-cut-delays-for-struggling-parents-as-childcare-fees-reintroduced">processing times can be lengthy</a>.</p>
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<span class="caption">Without early learning, or disruption to it, children are at risk of educational delay.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/happy-preschool-age-children-play-colorful-458347303">Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>The <a href="https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/additional-child-care-subsidy">additional childcare subsidy</a> provides temporary free childcare and remains available for families experiencing temporary financial hardship.</p>
<p>While these measures will help some families, they are unlikely to be enough to counter the unprecedented economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis. Vast numbers will be faced with a decision on whether they can afford to keep their child engaged in early education and care.</p>
<p>And we know children removed from early learning, or with only intermittent access to it, face disruption to their routine, and possibly developmental and educational delays.</p>
<h2>So, what are the options?</h2>
<p>Some have argued for an overhaul of the childcare system to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/20/snapping-back-to-the-childcare-subsidy-method-is-nuts-it-should-not-be-a-system-that-profits">make childcare permanently free</a>. One of the main barriers to this is cost. <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/childcare-wont-remain-free-after-the-pandemic-but-it-should-be-reformed">Estimates</a> suggest this would cost in excess of A$24 billion per year, compared with the <a href="https://www.vu.edu.au/sites/default/files/australian-investment-in-education-ecec-report-mitchell-institute.pdf">current cost of around $8 billion per year</a>.</p>
<p>Others have pushed for a <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/women-executives-demand-three-month-extension-of-free-childcare-20200529-p54xlt.html">temporary extension of fee-free care</a>, arguing it would support women and families financially and reduce risks for women in unsafe home situations.</p>
<p>Another option is a universal entitlement of up to 20 hours of free care per week, to ensure access for all children, while allowing parents to pay for additional hours above the entitlement. This policy recognises children’s right to early learning, and would be more straightforward than our current complex arrangements. </p>
<p>We argue an equitable and cost-effective option is to increase the subsidy for families on a combined income of A$68,163 from 85% to 95%, tapering to 50% for families with a combined income of $173,163. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/news/childcare-wont-remain-free-after-the-pandemic-but-it-should-be-reformed/">Grattan Institute estimates</a> increasing the highest rate of the childcare subsidy to 95% would cost an additional A$5 billion per year.</p>
<p>Our analysis shows this could save low-income families close to half of their current childcare fees, making it easier for struggling families to keep their children engaged in early learning. </p>
<p>This would provide a triple dividend by supporting children’s access to early learning, putting more money back into family budgets and supporting economic recovery.</p>
<p>Beyond 2020, an ambitious and fair reform agenda aimed at improving educational outcomes and reducing inequality should consider a range of policy options.</p>
<p>But for now, increasing subsidy rates for low to medium income families is the best way to support access for children, parents’ workforce participation and economic recovery — as well as ensure the sector’s survival.</p>
<p>It’s a small investment to remove some of the pressure on Australian families, and our youngest children, at this very challenging time.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/142557/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The government should increase the childcare subsidy for families on low to medium incomes — either temporarily or permanently. This would involve increasing the highest subsidy rate from 85% to 95%.Sarah Pilcher, Policy Fellow, Mitchell Institute, Victoria UniversityKate Noble, Education Policy Fellow, Mitchell Institute, Victoria UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1390272020-05-21T05:17:00Z2020-05-21T05:17:00ZChildcare is critical for COVID-19 recovery. We can’t just snap back to ‘normal’ funding arrangements<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336423/original/file-20200520-152302-4ix6ux.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>This week, the federal government released <a href="https://www.dese.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/ecec_relief_package_four_week_review_summary_report_0.pdf">a review of a relief package</a> it put in place in April to ensure the early childhood education and care sector remained financially viable and children of essential workers, as well as vulnerable children, could continue to attend. </p>
<p>The review said in the week the relief package was announced</p>
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<p>30% of providers faced closure due to a massive, shock withdrawal of families and another 25% of providers were not sure they could ever recover, even once the virus crisis has passed.</p>
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<p>Under the emergency arrangements, <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package">the government</a> is paying 50% of a childcare provider’s fee revenue up to the existing hourly rate cap, based on the enrolment numbers before parents started withdrawing their children because of the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>
<p>Childcare centres are prohibited from charging families an out-of-pocket fee, with the rest of their costs expected to be recouped through JobKeeper. Or they can limit costs by restricting the number of children in care, while prioritising children of essential workers.</p>
<p>On the release of the review of the scheme – due to end on June 28 – education minister Dan Tehan said the plan had “<a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/19/its-done-its-job-dan-tehan-flags-end-of-free-childcare-under-weight-of-increasing-demand">done its job</a>” with <a href="https://www.dese.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/ecec_relief_package_four_week_review_summary_report_0.pdf">99% of services remaining open</a>, and most providers saying the emergency response has helped with financial viability. </p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/morrison-has-rescued-childcare-from-covid-19-collapse-but-the-details-are-still-murky-134798">Morrison has rescued childcare from COVID-19 collapse – but the details are still murky</a>
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<p>The package is far from perfect, and has helped most early childhood services but not all. The review reports a survey of around 54% of providers found the new payment had “at least to some extent” helped 86% of them stay open and retain staff and 76% to “remain financially viable”. </p>
<p>In early May, one provider of aged, disability and early childhood services, <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/childcare-scheme-is-crippling-centres-and-frustrating-parents-20200503-p54pdh.html">Uniting NSW and ACT, reported</a> it was losing A$1 million a month under the scheme. </p>
<p>Other centres reporting heavy losses include those with high numbers of children attending already, and those where a <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/18/a-quarter-of-all-childcare-centres-say-free-scheme-wont-help-them-remain-viable?utm_term=RWRpdG9yaWFsX01vcm5pbmdNYWlsQVVTLTIwMDUxOA%3D%3D&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&utm_campaign=MorningMailAUS&CMP=morningmailau_email">high number of staff aren’t eligible</a> for JobKeeper, such as if they are casuals or on temporary visas.</p>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336621/original/file-20200521-102682-10xfkwy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336621/original/file-20200521-102682-10xfkwy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/336621/original/file-20200521-102682-10xfkwy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/336621/original/file-20200521-102682-10xfkwy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/336621/original/file-20200521-102682-10xfkwy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=398&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/336621/original/file-20200521-102682-10xfkwy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/336621/original/file-20200521-102682-10xfkwy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/336621/original/file-20200521-102682-10xfkwy.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=500&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<p>Some who are unhappy with the current arrangements want to <a href="https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/downside-of-free-childcare-proves-costly-for-sector-20200422-p54m6x">revert to the previous system now</a>. Others say a <a href="https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/why-im-fronting-a-campaign-asking-the-prime-minister-to-extend-free-childcare-past-june-28/">preemptive snap-back would be a big mistake</a>, risking a second existential threat to the sector. </p>
<p>Dan Tehan has said <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/19/its-done-its-job-dan-tehan-flags-end-of-free-childcare-under-weight-of-increasing-demand">the government is working on a transition back to the old system</a> which “was working effectively”.</p>
<p>As we navigate uncharted territories over the coming months, the needs and vulnerabilities of children, families and the early childhood education and care workforce must also be at the forefront of our thinking.</p>
<h2>Why we can’t just ‘snap back’</h2>
<p><a href="https://ministers.dese.gov.au/tehan/minister-education-dan-tehan-interview-nadia-mitsopoulos-and-russell-woolf-abc-radio-perth-0">One of the main arguments for snapping back</a> to the old system is based on increasing demand for services over the past month. But what if this demand is driven by childcare being free, and withers away once fees are reintroduced, when families are forced to cut costs?</p>
<p>COVID-19 restrictions have resulted in <a href="https://theconversation.com/were-it-not-for-jobkeeper-unemployment-would-be-11-7-up-from-5-2-in-one-month-heres-how-the-numbers-pan-out-138268">skyrocketing unemployment and underemployment</a>. For many families, the transition back to work may be irregular and unpredictable. A sharp ending of the emergency measures may leave many families unable to access care when they need to get back to work.</p>
<p>On top of this, children’s routines have been disrupted, increasing levels of isolation and anxiety. Many <a href="https://www.dese.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/learning_at_home_during_covid_30042020.pdf">children not previously considered vulnerable will now fall into this category</a>, or become potentially vulnerable. </p>
<p>High quality early childhood education can help <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/research-projects/2019/mar/effective-pre-school-primary-and-secondary-education-project-eppse">reduce the risk of vulnerability</a>. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/1-in-5-kids-start-school-with-health-or-emotional-difficulties-that-challenge-their-learning-131134">1 in 5 kids start school with health or emotional difficulties that challenge their learning</a>
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<p>Meanwhile, early childhood providers are <a href="https://thesector.com.au/2020/04/26/paul-mondo-aca-president-shares-his-covid-experience-and-highlights-full-range-of-support-available/">navigating rapid changes to attendance, staffing, funding and revenue</a>. Under current arrangements, they are managing a steady growth in demand and a known stream of income. Reverting to the previous system will introduce a high degree of uncertainty. </p>
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<p>It will also take time and careful planning to define a way forward for the complex diversity of early childhood services. The report on the rescue package highlights how different types of services have <a href="https://www.dese.gov.au/system/files/doc/other/ecec_relief_package_four_week_review_summary_report_0.pdf">experienced COVID-19 in different ways</a>: while 80% of centre-based child care services reported steep declines in attendance, only around half of home-based family day care services did so. </p>
<p>Early childhood educators are also in a tenuous position. They are <a href="https://theconversation.com/low-paid-womens-work-why-early-childhood-educators-are-walking-out-91402">among the lowest-paid Australians</a>, with high levels of casual employment. <a href="https://theconversation.com/one-in-five-early-childhood-educators-plan-to-leave-the-profession-61279">Staff turnover is high</a>, which undermines delivery of quality education, given the critical <a href="https://education.unimelb.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/2929452/E4Kids-Report-3.0_WEB.pdf">importance of secure relationships</a> to children’s early learning and development. </p>
<p>Funding certainty in the coming months will support job security, which benefits children as well as workers. </p>
<h2>A slow transition is the best</h2>
<p>Governments’ short-term focus must be on balancing the needs of children and families with economic recovery. This may begin with a gradual return to something like the previous system, adjusted to meet our changed needs. </p>
<p>The current arrangements could be continued until September, followed by <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/national/replace-free-childcare-scheme-with-tax-deductions-to-kickstart-economy-20200518-p54tyg.html">a gradual reduction</a>, rather than a rapid rollback. After that we need some simple changes at a minimum:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>suspend the activity test, to remove the link between parents’ work or study situation and children’s access, so all families and children can access early childhood services</p></li>
<li><p>allow increased absences, so families have the flexibility to keep their children home when they are unwell</p></li>
<li><p>improve affordability, with increases to childcare subsidy rates at all income levels to a cap</p></li>
<li><p>prioritise the needs of children most at risk, to ensure access for the most vulnerable children. </p></li>
</ol>
<p>We must also plan for longer-term reform to build a more stable and sustainable early childhood sector for all Australian children, which is less likely to need rescuing in the event of future shocks. With the rescue package generating calls <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/may/20/snapping-back-to-the-childcare-subsidy-method-is-nuts-it-should-not-be-a-system-that-profits">to permanently remove fees for early childhood services</a>, governments need to remain open to more ambitious reforms in future.</p>
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<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/quality-childcare-has-become-a-necessity-for-australian-families-and-for-society-its-time-the-government-paid-up-131748">Quality childcare has become a necessity for Australian families, and for society. It's time the government paid up</a>
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<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/139027/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jen Jackson has previously received funding from the Australian Research Council for research on the Australian early childhood workforce.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Kate Noble and Sarah Pilcher do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The government’s emergency relief package for childcare centres has kept many from collapsing financially due to COVID-19. The transition to other arrangements must be slow and carefully managed.Kate Noble, Education Policy Fellow, Mitchell Institute, Victoria UniversityJen Jackson, Education Policy Lead, Mitchell Institute, Victoria UniversitySarah Pilcher, Policy Fellow, Mitchell Institute, Victoria UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1347982020-04-02T07:04:07Z2020-04-02T07:04:07ZMorrison has rescued childcare from COVID-19 collapse – but the details are still murky<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/324838/original/file-20200402-74874-32o0na.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/child-does-figures-people-paper-on-711874429">Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Prime Minister Scott Morrison has announced <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package">free childcare</a> for more than one million families, with a funding boost that aims to keep more than 13,000 childcare services across Australia open. </p>
<p>In doing so, the government has backed its earlier recognition of early childhood education and care being an <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-28/childcare-threatened-coronavirus-state-federal-government-clash/12098504">essential service</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/02/australian-childcare-operators-fear-they-will-have-to-close-without-a-government-lifeline">Estimates suggest</a> about 650 early childhood education and care services have already closed in Australia due to falling enrolments.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package">government plans</a> to pay 50% of the sector’s revenue up to the existing hourly rate cap, based on the enrolment numbers before parents started withdrawing their children because of the COVID-19 pandemic. </p>
<p>It will only do this so long as services remain open and do not charge families for care.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/free-child-care-to-help-nearly-one-million-families-especially-workers-in-essential-services-135439">Free child care to help nearly one million families, especially workers in essential services</a>
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<p>The funding will apply from April 6 based on the number of children who were in care during the fortnight leading into March 2, whether or not they are attending services.</p>
<p>The plan will cost A$1.6 billion over the coming three months.</p>
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<h2>What this means</h2>
<p>Today’s announcement is a <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-28/childcare-threatened-coronavirus-state-federal-government-clash/12098504">much needed lifeline</a> for the early education and care sector, which was on the brink of collapse. </p>
<p>By last week, drops in occupancy at childcare centres were estimated to be <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-27/coronavirus-childcare-centres-australia-could-close-next-week/12093064">between 15% and 50%</a>.</p>
<p>Normally, the childcare subsidy is <a href="https://www.education.gov.au/child-care-subsidy-0">paid directly to early childhood services</a>, which then pass it on to families as a fee reduction. Today’s announcement effectively increases the fee reduction to result in zero fees. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/quality-childcare-has-become-a-necessity-for-australian-families-and-for-society-its-time-the-government-paid-up-131748">Quality childcare has become a necessity for Australian families, and for society. It's time the government paid up</a>
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<p>Last month, the government also increased the time families can stay away from childcare without losing their access to subsidies, from <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-31/childcare-coronavirus-what-support-is-available-from-government/12105704">42 days to 62 days</a>. The new plan <a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package">waives gap fees</a>, so families don’t face costs for keeping children at home. </p>
<p>Previously, <a href="https://www.education.gov.au/child-care-provider-handbook/reporting-absences">families would face fees</a> even when their child was absent from childcare, so services could keep operating. While this made sense in the pre-COVID world, many families discontinued enrolment when they were not sure when their children would return to care. </p>
<p>Federal education minister Dan Tehan said families that discontinued their enrolment since February 17 were encouraged to re-enrol their child:</p>
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<p>Re-starting your enrolment will not require you to send your child to child care and it certainly won’t require you to pay a gap fee. Re-starting your enrolment will, however, hold your place for that point in time when things start to normalise, and you are ready to take your child back to their centre.</p>
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<p>Finding a place in quality childcare <a href="https://theconversation.com/not-all-australian-parents-can-access-quality-childcare-and-preschool-they-cant-just-shop-around-130369">remains a struggle for many Australian families</a>, so support to stay enrolled is a significant benefit.</p>
<p>The funding boost means many centres can stay open and early childhood educators (including the <a href="https://www.pc.gov.au/inquiries/completed/education-workforce-early-childhood/report/early-childhood-report.pdf">72% </a> who are part-time or casual workers) will be able to keep working. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/covid-19-what-closing-schools-and-childcare-centres-would-mean-for-parents-and-casual-staff-133768">COVID-19: what closing schools and childcare centres would mean for parents and casual staff</a>
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<p><a href="https://ministers.dese.gov.au/morrison/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package">JobKeeper</a> payments will be available for those who cannot keep working. This is welcome respect from government for the importance of these workers, who are risking their health to give children continuity of care.</p>
<h2>Where are the gaps?</h2>
<p>The announcement caused initial <a href="https://www.3aw.com.au/free-childcare-federal-governments-1-6-billion-covid-19-childcare-overhaul/">confusion</a> about whether free childcare would apply to all families. <a href="https://www.3aw.com.au/free-childcare-federal-governments-1-6-billion-covid-19-childcare-overhaul/">Education minister Dan Tehan</a> asked that services prioritise vulnerable families and those who can’t care for their children safely at home. </p>
<p>The Prime Minister said “<a href="https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/scott-morrison-announces-free-childcare-during-pandemic/">working parents</a>” would be prioritised, not just those working in the most critical jobs.</p>
<p>Tehan later clarified that the support applies to <a href="https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/coronavirus-victoria-updates-live-australian-covid-19-death-toll-reaches-21-as-wimbledon-cancelled-and-worldwide-cases-reach-900-000-20200402-p54g8o.html#p507wi">all families who have an existing relationship with a childcare centre</a>. </p>
<p>While families struggling to care for young children while working from home will welcome this announcement, it still leaves uncertainty about how “prioritisation” will occur.</p>
<p>It is also not clear whether the call for prioritisation was expected to limit the number of families using childcare services, to allow educators to implement strategies like <a href="https://www.education.vic.gov.au/childhood/Pages/coronavirus-advice-early-childhood.aspx">extra cleaning and physical distancing</a> to protect children and staff from infection.</p>
<p>Benefits for children’s learning are also largely missing in the political spin. The Prime Minister is right that “<a href="https://www.pm.gov.au/media/early-childhood-education-and-care-relief-package">children need as much familiarity and continuity as we can help provide</a>”, but early childhood services do more than provide familiar spaces for children.</p>
<p>When it comes to school education, the <a href="https://time.com/5810017/coronavirus-school-closings-education-unesco/">global focus has remained on keeping children learning</a>, even for those not at school. But research shows learning is <a href="https://www.beststart.org/OnTrack_English/1-importance.html">even more important in the early years</a>, so governments also need a plan to support educators and families to keep early education going.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/preschool-benefits-all-children-but-not-all-children-get-it-heres-what-the-government-can-do-about-that-117660">Preschool benefits all children, but not all children get it. Here's what the government can do about that</a>
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<p>Another glitch is that Goodstart Early Learning, <a href="https://www.goodstart.org.au/about-us/our-vision">Australia’s largest early childhood service provider</a>, is technically ineligible for the government support announced so far. The company’s annual revenue is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-announces-free-childcare-for-working-parents-during-coronavirus-20200402-p54gf6.html">just above the A$1 billion</a> eligibility limit for access to the new package. </p>
<p>Goodstart itself was born from the last major crisis in Australian childcare, when ABC Learning went bankrupt, placing <a href="https://www.mcgrathnicol.com/insight/abc-learning-10-years/">more than 1,000 services</a> at risk of closure. Goodstart, a <a href="https://insidestory.org.au/is-goodstart-just-the-beginning/">not-for-profit social enterprise</a>, was created from a consortium of community organisations and government support, to provide a new model of childcare that prioritised learning over profit. </p>
<p>It would be a cruel twist of fate if the solution to the last childcare crisis was left out of the solution to the current one. </p>
<h2>Beyond the band-aid</h2>
<p>Education minister Dan Tehan has described today’s reforms as “<a href="https://10daily.com.au/news/politics/a200402sfjbt/childcare-to-be-free-for-australian-children-to-help-fight-coronavirus-20200402">turning off the old system</a>” of childcare funding. When Australia reaches the other side of the crisis, governments will face tough decisions about whether the clunky pre-COVID system – with childcare funding pieced together from a <a href="http://www.mitchellinstitute.org.au/reports/australian-investment-in-education-early-learning/">complex mix</a> of government funding and vastly variable fees – should ever be turned back on.</p>
<p>A <a href="https://womensagenda.com.au/latest/early-childhood-education-care-is-broken-coronavirus-proves-it/">broken system</a> will crumble to pieces at the first sign of crisis. Australia has seen childcare come close to the brink of collapse <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-03-31/childcare-coronavirus-what-support-is-available-from-government/12105704">twice now in just over a decade</a>. Governments owe it to children and families to never let it happen again.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/134798/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Jen Jackson has previously received funding from the Australian Research Council for research on the Australian early childhood workforce.</span></em></p>Childcare will be free for many Australian parents to help families and a struggling sector through the COVID-19 crisis. But there is much confusion around how this new system works.Jen Jackson, Education Policy Lead, Mitchell Institute, Victoria UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.