Coronavirus childcare package eases burden for Hunter struggling families
Hunter families are rejoicing at news the Federal Government will fund free childcare for everyone, but a local childcare operator wants to see more detail, as centres are overwhelmed with questions.
Newcastle
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A Hunter childcare centre operator has welcomed the Federal Government’s big spending to fund free childcare services for everyone during the COVID-19 pandemic, but said “the devil is in the detail.”
Owner and Director of Kinda Kapers Michelle Peden has a fleet of childcare centres across the region including at Adamstown, Charlestown, Tighes Hill, Belmont, Toronto, Lake Macquarie and Maitland.
She said they’ll be eager to get more information as it comes in.
“We don’t have the detail to drill right down into it,” she said.
“Most centres will be overwhelmed with the sheer amount of new legislation coming through.”
The priority for the government is to keep parents working and to ensure childcare centres remain open and viable through the crisis, recently announcing a $1.6 billion package for the next six months.
The good news for a lot of parents, those who decide to keep their kids home, can remain enrolled without continuing to pay fees.
Ms Peden expects a lot of children who were being kept at home will come back, but hopes the free fees will also extend to parents not working, who want to access childcare.
“Even if parents aren’t working, I think children should still be able to access childcare.
“Childcare can be an escape for parents, a lot are anxious from a mental health point of view, it is harrowing for many families and childcare can be an escape for children back to something that is normal, is safe, it’s regular,” she said.
“Early childhood education has been proven to be the foundation of children’s learning for their future life, that shouldn’t stop under an circumstances.”
While some childcare centres across the nation have buckled under the pressure of the coronavirus curse, Kinda Kapers have not dismissed any of their staff and the new announcement will firm up jobs into the future.
“My staff have done a brilliant job, most of them are anxious, but they come through the door with a smiling face, they have dance parties, art sessions, everything to keep the children happy and contented and keep it as normal as possible,” Ms Peden said.
“Our staff mean a lot to us and we didn’t want to lose anybody.
“I have been brought to tears with the emails from staff saying thank you for not sacking us and helping everyone and keeping them informed.”
FAMILIES
The Walker family were elated at the news of free childcare.
“I’m not normally and emotional person but a tear came to my eye,” Mr Walker said.
A family of three, Gavin and Hayley-Jane Walker from New Lambton Heights are parents to one and a half year old Hannah.
Gavin runs an insurance business, Newcastle Insurance group, and Hayley works nine days a fortnight for nib, currently working from home.
For their situation, childcare is vital. But since the coronavirus crisis started to take hold, things have been tough.
“My business has dropped 30-40 per cent so less money coming in and the bills just keep piling up,” he said.
“Childcare is such a big expense but a necessity for two working parents.
“If it kept going this way, in reality, either Hayley would of had to resign or I would of had to shut down the business for a certain amount of time because we couldn’t afford the extra expenses.”
The exciting news is a massive weight off their shoulders.
“With the payment nothing happens now, we can keep our car, our business.”
It’s imperative Monica McMahon continues to go to work during the COVID-19 pandemic.
She’s a community pharmacist, a frontline worker, and hence childcare is very valuable with one and a half year old Imogen, who attends childcare three days a week.
Since the shutdowns her partner, Dan Chessell, who was working three days a week, has lost all his hours.
Also studying mechanical engineering, he’s now stuck at home, as University work moves online.
The latest announcements couldn’t come at a better time for the couple at Mayfield.
“It’s going to be very helpful for people like me who cannot avoid going to work,” she said.
“My daughter has to go to daycare while I am in the shop and not having out of pocket expenses is amazing and will be very welcome especially as things are so difficult.
“As a result the money situation in the household is tighter than it was, and to have free childcare is going to be very useful.”
She said it will also go into ensuring the future of local childcare centres.
“When the people do start going back to work, the services wouldn’t have completely folded because there’s no children in the centres now,” Ms McMahon explained.
“It’s been rough on a lot of people financially so this means people can keep their spots and centres can remain viable and when it is over we can get back to normal.”