G8 Education profit up 208 per cent
February 29, 2012
The Gold Coast - Nick Nichols - February 28, 2012 Gold Coast-based G8 Education has put to bed any lingering doubts about the commercial viability of the childcare sector with a stunning surge in profit. The childcare centre operator has reported a $13.91 million net profit for the year to the end of December -- 208 per cent up on a year earlier...

Boost for child care services
February 29, 2012
The West Australian - Yolanda Zaw - February 28, 2012 Regional child care services at risk of closure will be boosted by a new round of government funding. Child care providers in regional WA will be able to apply for Royalties for Regions funding of up to $10,000 under the $9.3 million Regional Child Care Development Fund launched today...

School costs soar for tiny tots
February 27, 2012
The Sunday Times - Yasmine Phillips - February 26, 2012 THE cost of sending kindergarten and pre-primary tots to private school has hit $14,000. Parents of WA children as young as three and four will pay up to $12,648 for kindergarten and up to $13,960 for pre-primary in 2012...

Criminal checks for volunteers
February 26, 2012
Sydney Morning Herald - Jim O'Rourke - February 26, 2012 More than 1.3 million volunteers in junior sport and community groups involving children will be forced to undergo criminal history checks to weed out potential abusers and molesters. At the same time, job seekers who want to work with children will, for the first time, have to pay for their own background test before applying for a job...

Nits dilemma a head-scratcher for schools
February 25, 2012
Herald Sun - Susie O'Brien - February 25, 2012 Guidelines also say teachers should "exercise sensitivity" towards children with nits for fear of upsetting them. But schools, preschools and childcare centres across the state are flouting these policies by immediately asking parents to collect their children. Children are often isolated from...