The Hon Kate Ellis MP
Minister for Early Childhood Education, Child Care and Youth
15 March, 2010
Media release
Child care services lead work-life balance
The Minister for Early Childhood Education and Child Care Kate Ellis today congratulated two child care organisations for winning National Work-Life Balance Awards.
The Playgroup Association of Queensland and Norwest Child Care Centre (NSW) were among six winners presented with the awards at Old Parliament House today.
The Awards recognise business, government and community organisations that are leading the way in helping people balance their work and family commitments.
“These awards show that attitudes in the child care sector are changing and these organisations are leading the way towards more family-friendly workplaces,” Ms Ellis said.
The family-friendly practices recognised by the Work-Life Balance Awards include flexible working hours, options for working from home, paid parental leave, job sharing, onsite carer’s facilities and study assistance.
“Flexible working arrangements help child care providers retain valuable staff, minimise turnover costs and boost productivity and staff morale,” Ms Ellis said.
The National Work-Life Balance Awards are part of the Government’s Fresh Ideas for Work and Family policy and our commitment to a new fair and balanced workplace relations system.
The Australian Government is investing more than $16 billion in early childhood education over the next four years.
For more details and pictures of the winners visit www.deewr.gov.au/worklife.