Free childcare a boon for Territory families

TERRITORY parents are rejoicing at the financial and emotional pressure eased by the Federal Government’s free childcare announcement.

Working parent Gemma Chohdri, right, her daughter Elsie, 2, and childcare worker Emma Steinbeck, left, are pleased that childcare will be supported during the coronavirus crisis. Picture: Glenn Campbell

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TERRITORY parents are rejoicing at the financial and emotional pressure eased by the Federal Government’s free childcare announcement.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Federal Education Minister Dan Tehan announced from Sunday night there would be free childcare across Australia, to ease the financial burden of the coronavirus pandemic.

Parents with an existing relationship with a childcare centre are eligible, whether they’re working or not, but the children of essential workers and vulnerable people will have first priority.

“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,” Mr Tehan said.

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Gemma Chohdri takes her daughter Elsie, 2, to Murraya Children’s Centre in Leanyer, and was relieved to hear the announcement.

“I’m really happy, every little bit counts in these uncertain times, so free childcare is awesome,” she said.

Ms Chohdri said it couldn’t have come at a better time, after being stood down from her job.

“My partner is working at the moment, it is tough with only one income so free childcare definitely helps,” she said.

“It’s a welcome help for a lot of Australians.”

She said giving Elsie stability was key to enduring the coronavirus pandemic.

“I’m just happy that Elsie can keep going to childcare and getting an education in these uncertain times because it’s a bit of stability for her, and for me knowing she’s in good hands and getting a good education,” she said.

“For little kids, routine is key and if Elsie can keep going to daycare, I’m just ecstatic.”

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NT Education Minister Selena Uibo also revealed the Territory Government would continue to pay the NT Early Childhood Services Subsidy, which offsets operational costs of childcare centres and reduces fees paid by parents and families.

This year’s subsidy is worth $5.4 million.

“Childcare is a vital sector that underpins the NT economy by allowing parents and carers to continue,” Ms Uibo said.

Owner and director of La Crèche on The Avenue Childcare and Early Learning Centre in Parap, Louise de Bomford-Scott, welcomed the announcement, saying it would help childcare centres to bounce back when people start returning to work.

“I think that’s excellent and will certainly be a great help to all childcare centres to stay afloat,” she said.

“It definitely needs to happen otherwise childcare centres would go under.

“You’re looking at 60 per cent of your income going to wages.”