A NUMBER of parents have re-enrolled their children into a Loxton child care centre recently after a plan from the Federal Government provided families with free child care amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Loxton District Children’s Centre Woodleigh initially saw a reduction of numbers when COVID-19 set in however director April Watson said once the Federal Government released the Early Childhood Education and Care Relief package, some of those children returned to child care.
“Once the reality of COVID-19 set in, a number of families were able to work from home and didn’t need care, while others chose to keep their children home as a health and safety precaution,” she said.
“Soon after the package was released, a few of the children who had been pulled out came back.
“These were predominately for children whose parents are essential workers.
“We also already had a few new families due to start care during this time but we haven’t had any new families enrol only for the benefit of free child care.”
Mrs Watson said the fall-out of COVID-19 has impacted the centre’s staff.
“As early childhood education and care is a ratio-based service, we roster according to the number of children in attendance,” she said.
“With a reduction in numbers, our casual staff have needed to reduce their hours, however our permanent staff contracts have been able to remain the same.
“With both the package and JobKeeper combined, we should have enough support to keep our service in operation and our staff employed.
“At this stage, the package is in place until the end of June 2020, so what happens next is a mystery.
“We know that the Government and their representatives are trying their best to keep child care services operating so we are able to continue to provide quality care for families who need it.”
The Federal Government’s Early Childhood Education and Care Relief package was welcomed by Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud earlier this month.
“We want to try and keep as many of the 13,000 child care and early learning services nationwide open – especially those in regional Australia,” he said.
“This is so their businesses survive, their workers have jobs and parents have the peace of mind that they too can go to work knowing their children are safe.
“This has been an uncertain time for the sector with enrolment and attendance heading south with the COVID-19 crisis.
“The relief package will mean the child care sector can offer their services for free when used in conjunction with the JobKeeper payment.
“For those on the frontline in country towns, they now have the comfort in knowing that their children will be cared for when they go to work.”
Mr Littleproud said it was vital nurses, paramedics and police can continue to keep their community safe and well.
“We need to support as many jobs as possible in rural and regional Australia so their economies keep going,” he said.
“This relief package is part of the government’s strategy to save lives and livelihoods and is another section of the bridge that will take us to the other side of this crisis.”