NT educators welcome end of Federal Government’s free childcare scheme

TERRITORY childcare workers have welcomed the ending of the Federal Government’s free childcare scheme next month, saying it was not sustainable for the industry long-term

Child educator Emma Stunbeck from Murraya Childrens centre with 3 yr old Adalynn Smith/ Picture: Katrina Bridgeford.

TERRITORY childcare workers have welcomed the ending of the Federal Government’s free childcare scheme next month, saying it was not sustainable for the industry long-term.

The $1.6 billion scheme, which was announced in early April and provided free child care for all parents, is set to end on July 12.

The sector will then enter a transition period, which will see the Federal Government pay childcare services 25 per cent of their fee revenue and educators moved off the JobKeeper program.

MORE TOP NT NEWS

Territorians given vouchers to explore their Territory in $5.2 million tourism scheme

Darwin Council launches $300,000 voucher scheme in local businesses stimulus push

NT, SA, WA peak business bodies join forces to form new Centre-West Travel Triangle plan

Owner of La Creche on The Avenue Louise de Bomford-Scott welcomed the news, saying parents in need will still have access to financial support.

“I think it’s a good thing that it’s ending because it’s certainly not sustainable for childcare providers to continue on this level of income,” she said.

“The scheme” was absolutely fantastic for families, they benefited from it.

“But, parents will go back to paying reduced fees and any parents who are still experiencing hardship can always apply for financial hardship.”

Educator at Murraya Children’s Centre Emma Steinbeck said she was looking forward to thing returning to being as normal as possible.

“It has been great that there has been lots of support for families during this tough COVID-19 period,” she said.

“We look forward to everything going back to normal with the safeguards that the government has put into place.”

NT Branch President of Early Childhood Australia Sarah Lloyd said educators were just happy to have clarity about the future of the industry.

“There’s just an overwhelming sense of relief that there’s clarity going forward,” she said.

“Just knowing now, there was speculation there was going to be a major overhaul of the system. There’s been some tweaks but there’s nothing significant.”

NEW OFFER: Get amazing Sennheiser earbuds (RRP: $499) with NT News subscription deal

However, Ms Lloyd said there were concerns about Australia’s educators, 91 per cent of which of women, being taken off JobKeeper months before the the scheme ends in September.

“Having a whole sector that doesn’t have access to JobKeeper raises some issues about women in the workforce,” she said.