Latest update from Prime Minister Scott Morrison on COVID-19 in Australia will see the government provide free childcare.
A question that has been high on parents list for weeks now has been addressed by Mr.Morrison.
“Childcare and early childhood education are critical, particularly for those Australians who rely on it so they can go to work every day,”
Mr Morrison
Free childcare support package
As of Sunday night, a new system will be implemented for parents to provide much-needed relief in these times and also clarity going forward on whether childcare centres would close down.
Childcare will be free for essential workers – with Mr Morrison stating around one million families are expected to benefit.
In a statement from Mr Morrison website – under the plan, the Government will pay 50 per cent of the sector’s fee revenue up to the existing hourly rate cap based on a point in time before parents started withdrawing their children in large numbers, but only so long as services remain open and do not charge families for care. The funding will apply from 6 April based on the number of children who were in care during the fortnight leading into 2 March, whether or not they are attending services.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the plan supports families while also ensuring as many of the sector’s 13,000 child care and early learning services as possible could keep their doors open for workers and vulnerable families who need those services.
The funding will apply from April 6, based on the number of children who were in care during the fortnight leading into March 2, whether or not they are attending services.
“These services are vital for so many parents so they can provide for their family, and children need as much familiarity and continuity as we can help provide at this unsettling time. Priority will be given to working parents, vulnerable and disadvantaged children that need early education more than ever and parents with pre-existing enrolments.
“This plan complements more than $1 billion we expect the sector to receive through our new JobKeeper payment to help ensure many of the 200,000 vital early education workforce can stay connected to services.
More to come.
Watch: Scott Morrison free childcare announcement
Further information pm.gov.au.
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