ACA working with government to minimise the impact of the Coronavirus on families and the early learning sector
In the context of the rapidly changing circumstances surrounding the potential spread of the Coronavirus – COVID-19, the impact on Australia’s vital early learning sector has been immediate and potentially, economically catastrophic for families, their workplaces and the broader community.
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) today continues to step up efforts to protect over 845,000 children in the care of its educators and member providers. This includes webinars for staff on how to manage basic supplies of food and toiletries, manage hygiene, staff concern and inform parents. These regular updates are provided in the face of a situation changing on a daily, even hourly basis.
ACA is working through a suite of proposals with the Federal Government that will directly support and protect the 700,000 families and the educators and providers who care for them.
“The early learning sector is on the front line of this unprecedented global health crisis,” ACA President Paul Mondo said today. “The existing measures, in place to date, have been effective and fit for purpose, with service providers monitoring the travel activities of their families along with their teams of staff, imposing self-isolation where necessary and remaining vigilant about hygiene practices and monitoring the children for any tell-tale symptoms,”
However, Mr Mondo said that unlike primary and high schools and universities, their workforce could not work remotely and if children were sent home, even when not at risk, the impact on their working families, their respective workplaces and the broader economy was significant.
“We continue to receive numerous calls daily from concerned members seeking advice on when to ask families and staff to self-isolate, workplace relations issues and whether they can seek financial support in the event of mandatory centre closures.”
ACA has been actively engaged with the Australian Government on the potential impact to our sector for weeks now, and we continue to do so, with a view to ensuring that our families are protected and the sector receives the guidance, and support required to prevent the spread of the disease and ensure the ongoing viability of Australia’s vital early learning sector,” Mr Mondo explained.
“The sector is seeking certainty from ‘one source of authority’ around potential closures if required.
The Australian Government has the safety and economic well being of our families as its clear priority and we are confident it will continue to make decisions to support the sector through this challenging time should additional support be warranted.”
ACA will shortly be releasing a ‘Pandemic Action Plan’ to its members – a guide for how services can best respond during the various stages of a pandemic such as this.
ACA is continuing to provide a range of resources and materials to its members to provide the necessary tools to assist their support their decision making as the COVID-19 situation unfolds.
“With over 845,000 children attending early learning services across the country, ACA believes the sector has done an incredible job to date in terms of preventing the spread of this disease. Australian families need to know their children remain safe in our services and in the best care possible” Mr Mondo concluded.
