Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations

Important information on reconciliation of families' CCB Entitlements

The CCMS Helpdesk has received numerous calls from services about the CCB reconciliation process and how it affects services.

Transition arrangements for National Quality Framework

Australian governments have been working together to develop the transition arrangements to the new National Quality Agenda for early childhood education and school age care.

mychild.gov.au survey

Families, carers, providers and all visitors to the mychild.gov.au website are invited to tell us what you think about the current website by completing a short survey.

Bushfire related child care service closures

Under the new bushfire danger ratings system, child care services may close as a precautionary measure in areas where there is a bushfire danger.

Child Care and Early Education in Australia report

The Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care, Kate Ellis, today welcomed the release of the Child Care and Early Education in Australia report.

Child Care News Issue 24 is now available

The December 2009 edition of Child Care News is available now! Child care services can expect to receive hard copies in the coming weeks. 

Online budgeting help for child care costs

A new online tool has been launched to help families budget for their child care costs.

Request for Applications - Child Care Service Provider - Gooddo Day Care Centre, Palm Island, Qld.

The Australian Government is seeking applications from organisations to operate an established child care centre in the community of Palm Island in Queensland.

A Snapshot of Early Childhood Development in Australia

The Australian Government’s A Snapshot of Early Childhood Development in Australia Australian Early Development Index National Report 2009, has been released.

New improvements to early childhood education and care

On 7 December 2009, the Australian Government, in partnership with state and territory governments, agreed to a number of improvements to early childhood education and care through the introduction of a National Quality Framework.

Decision on ABC1 centres

The Receivers for ABC Learning Limited, McGrathNicol, have announced that GoodStart is the preferred purchaser of the majority of the remaining ABC1 child care centres.

Improvements to mychild.gov.au

The Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care, Kate Ellis, has announced significant improvements to the Australian Government’s online hub for parents - mychild.gov.au.

Additional Early Childhood University Places Announced

On 14 October 2009 the Minister for Education, Julia Gillard, and the Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care, Kate Ellis, announced 780 new university places in early childhood teaching.

Announcement of Home Interaction Program for Parents & Youngsters

On 18 October 2009, the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, Kate Ellis, announced the partner organisations who will deliver the Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters in 2010.

Request for Applications - Child Care Service Providers - Warruwi Crèche and Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) Crèche, NT

The Australian Government is seeking applications from organisations to operate established crèches in the communities of Warruwi and Gunbalanya (Oenpelli) in the Northern Territory.

The consultation period for the quality reforms for early childhood education and child care has closed

The Council of Australian Governments agreed to a formal process of consultation in July and August 2009 to improve the quality of early childhood education and child care in Australia.

Universal Access to early childhood education agreements signed

The Minister for Education, Julia Gillard and the Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth, Kate Ellis, announced on Thursday, 17 September 2009, that all states and territories have now signed Bilateral Agreements with the Australian Government to deliver universal access to early childhood education by 2013. 

Additional Early Learning and Care Centres

The Australian Government is progressing the establishment of 38 priority Early Learning and Care Centres which will be operational by the end of 2010.  To date, arrangements for 34 of the 38 priority locations have been announced.

Early Years Learning Framework online forum is live again!

The Early Years Learning Framework online forum has re-opened.

Progress made in the establishment of Children and Family Centres in the Northern Territory

The locations for three children and family centres in the Northern Territory have been announced. The new centres will be located in Gunbalanya, Palmerston and Ngukurr, and are in addition to two centres already being established in Maningrida and Yuendumu.

Child Care News Issue 23 is available now!

The August 2009 issue of Child Care News is now available. Child care services should expect to receive copies in the coming week.

Have your say on quality reforms in early childhood education and care

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) has agreed to a formal process of consultation in July and August 2009 to improve early childhood education and child care in Australia.

A series of options to improve early childhood education and child care are set out in a Regulation Impact Statement (RIS).

Services reminded to provide child care vacancy information

Child care services were recently notified by the Australian Government to report their child care vacancy information based on a new standard definition of a vacancy.

Expression of Interest for Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters now open

Expressions of Interest are now open for the 2010 Home Interaction Program for Parents and Youngsters locations.

The revised Inclusion and Professional Support Program (IPSP) Guidelines now available

Following extensive consultation, the revised Inclusion and Professional Support Program (IPSP) Guidelines, which are effective immediately, are now available on the DEEWR website. These guidelines provide information for child care services, IPSP service providers and families in relation to Inclusion Support Agencies, the Inclusion Support Subsidy, Professional Support Coordinators and the Indigenous Professional Support Unit. As at 1 July 2009, the ISS and Flexible Support Funding Rates have been amended. The website has now been updated to reflect these new rates. 

Early childhood reforms endorsed by Australian Governments

The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) endorsed major early childhood reforms at its meeting on 2 July 2009.

Have your say on quality reforms in early childhood education and care.

Ms McKew announces launch of National Quality Agenda for early childhood education and care from July 2009

This news item relates to an announcement made by Ms McKew and includes links to the transcript of the announcement and program information. 

Outcomes of the Long Day Care Capital Funding Program, Round 2

On 25 March 2009, the Hon Maxine McKew MP, Parliamentary Secretary for Early Childhood Education and Child Care announced the outcomes of the Long Day Care Capital Funding Program, Round 2.

ABC Learning Centres

The National Framework for Protecting Australia’s Children 2009-2020

The National Framework is an ambitious, long-term national approach to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Australian children. This initiative was announced by the Prime Minister on April 30 2009. 

Early Years Learning Framework Online Forum closed on 20 April 2009

 The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) online forum closed on 20 April 2009.

Senate Inquiry into the Provision of Childcare

The Senate Standing Committee on Education, Employment and Workplace Relations is conducting an inquiry into the provision of child care in Australia. Submissions closed on 30 January 2009.