Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS) joins other leading early learning and care providers from around Australia to urge the Australian Government to further consider the catastrophic impact closure of early learning services across the country will have on families and the Australian economy now and into the future.
ECMS Chief Executive Officer Kim Bertino, says, “Providing continuity of education and care in a safe, supportive and hygienic environment is our priority. We need the Australian Government to step up and increase their funding so we can continue to open to support essential service workers. It is critical that these front line people have care provided for their children so they can continue to work to help Australia get through the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We also have many families that rely on our centres to stay open, as they have no other support structures in their network to help them care for their children when they are not at home.
“We do not want to get to a stage where families have no other choice than to leave their children with older relatives or people who are deemed vulnerable to COVID-19. This will have disastrous consequences to the very people we are trying to protect.” Ms Bertino explains.
Yesterday, Early Learning and Care Council of Australia (ELACCA) CEO, Elizabeth Death, released harrowing statistics.
Today, in response to what happens to childcare fees when children are at home, Australia’s Prime Minister Scott Morrison said, “This is one of the very sensitive areas that we’re working through. We’re working on a plan to deal with that ... those many premises around the country. They are an essential part of keeping the economy running for those who are still part of it and for those who are still going to work.
“And we understand that. We are working through these issues, through a list of priorities, and that is one that is certainly very near to the top of that – high to the top of the list – about how we’re supporting people who remain in work to be able to stay in work and the childcare support is a key part of that.”
ECMS welcomes the Australian Government prioritising the continuity of education and care for families during one of Australia’s most unprecedented difficult times.
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Media enquiries: Anna Somerville via email at communications@ecms.org.au