Federation wraps up childcare REIT raising, eyes ASX listing
Australian Financial Review - Sarah Thompson, Anthony Macdonald and Tim Boyd - November 12, 2019
The real estate arm of the Cameron Brownjohn helmed Federation Asset Management is finalising a capital raise for its childcare investment fund. It's understood Federation has had stockbroker Morgans helping pitch its Federation Education REIT to clients...
$300 million Constitution Place announces childcare centre and gym among first retailers
Canberra Times - Lucy Bladen - November 12, 2019
The first retailers for the $300 million Constitution Place development have been revealed. Developer, Capital Property Group have announced a Club Lime gym, a Montessori Academy childcare centre, and dining franchises Meat & Wine Co and Hero Sushi will open at the precinct...
'Better to be cautious': At least 500 schools to close in Sydney and NSW due to fire danger
The Sydney Morning Herald - Natassia Chrysanthos - November 11, 2019
More than 500 schools across the state and in suburban Sydney are expected to close on Tuesday as the New South Wales coast braces for "catastrophic" fire conditions. Education Minister Sarah Mitchell said the number of closed schools would "rise considerably" on Tuesday as the Department...
Lockyer childcare exceeds quality standards in assessments
Gatton, Lockyer & Brisbane Valley Star - November 11, 2019
The Gatton Child Care Centre is reaping the rewards of its hard work after being recognised for the significant impact they are making to the region’s children. Results for the 2019 Assessment and Rating under the National Quality Standard highlighted Gatton Child Care Centre ...
Tehan announces help to access ECEC for those impacted by drought
The Sector - Freya Lucas - November 11, 2019
Families affected by drought will be supported to continue accessing education, Federal Minister for Education Dan Tehan has vowed, with the Australian Government providing an additional $15 million to schools and early childhood education and care (ECEC) centres attended by children...
ECEC recipients win share of $1.7 million in grants from ACT Gov to encourage health
The Sector - Freya Lucas - November 11, 2019
The latest round of Healthy Canberra Grants have included two early childhood education and care programs, which are offering programs to create a positive food and healthy eating culture within early childhood settings and to encourage physical activity and healthy eating...
The after school care centres around Australia that don’t meet quality standards
The Daily Telegraph - Sue Dunlevy, News Corp Australia Network - November 10, 2019
Exclusive: Australia is in the grip of an after school care crisis. Tens of thousands of children are enrolled in services that have been ruled substandard, while others are on waiting lists unable to access care because schools can’t make space available. A News Corp investigation has found...
Katherine South Preschool celebrates 60 year milestone
Katherine Times - Roxanne Fitzgerald - November 10, 2019
Around 1959 two women, Ingrid Phillips and Maureen Dunham, decided the small town of Katherine was in fact big enough for a preschool. The Northern Territory Administrator of the time agreed, but said the ladies would have to raise 500 pounds, source a piano and ensure...
Sebastopol's Sesame Kids is offering Saturday childcare to help parents juggle work and life
The Courier - Michelle Smith - November 9, 2019
A Ballarat centre is offering Saturday childcare for busy families. Sesame Kids childcare centre owner Mageda Charrouf said demand from families already using the Sebastopol centre prompted her to introduce the Saturday care offering. "While working closely with parents...
Statement – Child Care Subsidy balancing outcomes
Mirage News - November 8, 2019
If a family disagrees with their Child Care Subsidy balancing outcome, or has information to provide that may impact their entitlement, we encourage them to call us on 136 150. If someone does experience any issues, we work with them closely to resolve them. A range of information...
Children evacuated as emergency crews tackle structure fire at a child care centre at Chermside West
The Courier Mail - Glenn Roberts, Quest Newspapers, November 8, 2019
Four fire crews have responded to a report of a fire at a child care centre at Chermside West this afternoon. Queensland Fire and Emergency Services received a call at 1.10pm and firefighters found a small structure fire on arrival at the centre at the corner of Rode Rd and Maundrell Tce...
Mooroopna’s new early learning centre unveiled
Shepparton News - Ashlea Witoslawski - November 8, 2019
Designs for a new early learning centre in Mooroopna were unveiled by Victorian Education Minister James Merlino during his visit to Shepparton yesterday. The Mooroopna Integrated Early Learning Centre is part of the Shepparton Education Plan, which was first announced in...
MercyCare boosts Perth presence with two additional early learning centres
The Sector - Freya Lucas - November 8, 2019
Two additional early learning centres have been opened in Perth’s northern corridor by approved not for profit provider MercyCare. One centre in Merriwa is already operational, with a second, located in Banksia Grove, due to open come 11 November. The Merriwa site was formerly...
Two ECEC qualifications added to Victoria’s Free TAFE course list for 2020
The Sector - Freya Lucas - November 8, 2019
The Victorian Government have issued a callout, hoping to see an increase of people choosing to study early childhood education and care (ECEC) in 2020. To support the initiative, two early childhood qualifications will be added to the Free TAFE course list in 2020. The announcement...
Drought support for students
Mirage News - November 7, 2019
Families affected by drought will be supported to continue accessing education. The Morrison Government will provide an additional $15 million to schools and child care centres attended by children from drought-affected areas. Minister for Education Dan Tehan said the Government would...
Perth childcare centre closes unexpectedly, leaving hundreds stranded
Nine News - Michael Genovese - November 7, 2019
The WA Department of Communities has launched an inquiry into the mysterious last-minute shutdown of a popular Perth childcare centre that left hundreds of parents stranded this morning. Unicare Childhood Education in Crawley is "closed until further notice", according to a sign on the door...
Childcare services replace indoor play centre in Clarkson
Wanneroo Times - Lucy Jarvis - November 7, 2019
A childcare centre has replaced an indoor play centre in Clarkson to meet demand for early learning services. The Atlantis Group has renovated its Ocean Keys Boulevard play centre, which opened in 2015, and converted it into the Atlantis Education Centre. Managing director Rory Hindle said...
Early Childhood Courses Added To Free TAFE List
Mirage News - November 7, 2019
The Andrews Labor Government is calling on Victorians to consider a career in early childhood education as two early childhood qualifications will be added to the Free TAFE course list in 2020 to support the rollout of universal three-year-old Kinder. 'Minister for Training...
ACT authorities set timeline for releasing test results for potential cancer-causing PFAS chemicals
The Daily Telegraph - Craig Dunlop - November 6, 2019
PARENTS who send their kids to a Canberra childcare centre at a former suburban fire station will learn early next year precisely how contaminated the site is with potentially cancer-causing firefighting chemicals. Chief Fire Officer Mark Brown told an ACT Legislative Assembly...
Household financial confidence is in free fall
Macro Business - November 6, 2019
Household budgets are under pressure as costs of living rise, with 91% reporting higher real costs that a year ago, this is a record in our survey. Expenses rose across the board, from child care, health care, school fees and rates. Food costs were higher partly thanks to the drought...
ACECQA to become migration assessing authority for new look regional visa scheme
The Sector - Jason Roberts - November 6, 2019
Effective 16 November, the Australian Children’s Education & Care Authority, (ACECQA), will become an authority for assessing applications for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional subclass 494 visa scheme in the child care centre manager and child care worker categories...
MindChamps solidifies Australian presence with the opening of flagship centre
The Sector - Freya Lucas - November 6, 2019
The first purpose-built MindChamps centre has been established in the New South Wales suburb of Frenchs Forest, solidifying the presence of the Singaporean-based approved provider in Australia. MindChamps has 12 centres in a variety of Sydney suburbs, with plans to have...
Sydney childcare worker accused of traumatising four-year-old boy
9News.com.au - November 5, 2019
A childcare worker from western Sydney has been accused of traumatising a four-year-old boy in her care. Hanan Hamzy is facing an AVO taken out by police on the boy's behalf, after she allegedly forced the boy to sleep by holding his eyes closed, and held his tongue out...
Hazardous substances ‘widespread’ at WA child care centres
The West Australian - Caitlyn Rintoul - November 5, 2019
A widespread lack of training on hazardous substances at WA child care centres has sparked concerns from Work Safe, with 162 improvement notices and 27 verbal directions issued during their recent inspection program. The program canvassed 52 centres across metropolitan and regional WA.
Books for Babies project to help improve literacy and family bonds in Tasmania
The Advocate - Meg Powell - November 5, 2019
Tiny babies are not the only things parents will be bringing home from the hospital if a North-West speech pathologist has her way. Each baby born in the state from January 1 is set to be gifted a high-quality children's book, thanks to a brand-new project aimed at improving language...
Educators to head outside for Outdoor Classroom Day
Mirage News - November 6, 2019
Townsville City Council is encouraging educators to take their classes into the great outdoors this Thursday for Outdoor Classroom Day.
Targeted at local kindergartens, childcare centres, schools and after hours school care centres, the day is aimed to give kids a different perspective on learning.
Goodstart Childcare lays out fresh model for corporate responsibility
The Canberra Times - Mike Steketee - November 5, 2019
When Michael Traill, investment banker turned social entrepreneur, went touting for funds to make a bid for the collapsed childcare group ABC Learning 10 years ago, more than one person told him it was a flight of fancy. Why would hard-headed investors put their money into a venture...
Rogerscorp's MONARC health and childcare hub gets three pre-leases
Australian Financial Review - Su-Lin Tan - November 4, 2019
Brisbane developer Rogerscorp has struck three pre-leases at its MONARC health and childcare hub in Everton Park, Brisbane, ahead of the start of construction. Harmony Early Learning Journey will open a 112-place childcare centre after agreeing terms on a 20-year lease...
New $7m early learning childhood centre offering chef-cooked meals opens in Frenchs Forest
The Daily Telegraph - Madelaine Wong, Manly Daily - November 4, 2019
A $7 million state-of-the-art early learning childhood centre and preschool has opened at Frenchs Forest offering chef-cooked meals and veggie gardens, spanning over three levels. MindChamps Early Learning and Preschool Centre will start operating in January 2020 with capacity...
Evolve Education nets five childcare centres
The Market Herald - Fraser Palamara - November 4, 2019
Evolve Education has spent $7.65 million as part of a new deal to add five Queensland and Victoria childcare centres to its roster. These combined centres allow for a daily capacity of 456 children per day. The centres join the company's major existing presence in Melbourne, as part of a total...
