Essential facts about the new child care package

From 2 July 2018 the current child care system, which includes the Child Care Benefit and Rebate, will be replaced. The new childcare package will provide families of approved childcare services with a new Child Care Subsidy and result in a few changes for providers.

We’ve taken the time to go through some of the main changes to the childcare package so families and early childhood educators, directors and owners can be prepared when July 2 arrives.

Changes for childcare services:

Types of childcare services

Instead of the seven types of childcare providers we currently have, there will only be three. There are Centre-based Day Care (CDC), Outside School Hours Care (OSHC) and Family Day Care (FDC). Depending on what type of childcare service you run, this may affect you.

Operating hours

Currently, there are many regulations for childcare professionals when it comes to their operating hours, however, with the new childcare package childcare providers will have more freedom in choosing their operating hours to suit their local area and demand. This includes how many days and hours they offer care each week, however, some regulation will still apply.

Reduced admin time

According to the department, the new child care IT system that will roll out with the childcare package is designed to support childcare providers in reducing admin time and giving you a highly functional IT system to work with.

Display this poster at your centre to remind families of the upcoming changes.

You can get plenty of information and resources here: https://www.education.gov.au/new-child-care-subsidy-system

Changes for families:

One payment system, not two

Instead of a two-payment system, the Child Care Subsidy rolling out in July will be one payment. This will completely replace both the Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate.

Annual cap

While currently your subsidised childcare hours are capped at $7,500, the new Child Care Subsidy will not have a cap on the majority of families. If your family earns over $185,710 your cap will remain but will be extended to $10,000 from July 2.

Means-tested subsidy

As with the previous funding, the Child Care Subsidy remains a payment that is determined by your combined family income.

Take a look at how your subsidy level will be calculated:

Meeting the activity test

The activity test shows the required number of hours a family must undertake in an approved activity to access the Child Care Subsidy. This is to make sure parents who need childcare to work can access it fairly.

Childcare funding for parents not working

To ensure all children can access a quality early childhood education, the Child Care Safety Net offers low-income families who don’t meet the activity test up to 24 hours of subsidised childcare per fortnight.

For complete information about the Child Care Subsidy and new package launching as of 2 July 2018 visit https://www.education.gov.au/child-care-subsidy.

Families, you can learn more and work out your funding level with this online calculator: education.gov.au/childcare

Building strong teams and positive culture

culture in early childhood education

Working in early childhood education, collaboration is essential. Not just between centres and families, but also among staff. Building teams and a positive culture in early childhood education paves the way for a centre and its educators to thrive. Of course, a thriving centre means the best experience for families and children too.

Over the years we have asked countless educators what their biggest challenges are, and we frequently hear that one of the challenges is staff motivation, culture and turnover. Sound familiar?

In 2016 the Queensland University of Technology surveyed 1,200 early childhood educators across Australia about their jobs. Of those surveyed, one in five planned to leave their position within the following year. The reasons cited for this included feeling undervalued and not enjoying the working environment.

Creating a positive culture in your workplace can help your team feel bonded, supported and appreciated. A little effort can go a long way to keep your staff turnover low, and your centre’s culture brimming with positivity and happiness!

A team that is motivated and appreciated is one that will help your centre and its children reach their full potential. Take a look at these ways that you can build teams and a positive culture within your organisation and consider giving them a try:

  1. Focus on the positives:

    Often when we have staff meetings or changes, the focus is on what we can do better. While improvement is important, try to shift the focus to the positives. Hearing what is being done well will encourage everyone to want to do it more.

  2. Make responsibilities clear:

    Clashes in teams can arise when there is uncertainty over who is responsible for what, or if someone feels they have an unfair share of the workload or have drawn the short straw. Keep it clear and make sure everyone feels comfortable in speaking up in the right way if something is displeasing to them.

  3. Involve your team in decisions:

    A democracy is always better than a dictatorship, so make sure your team feels they have some say in the workplace. Friendly negotiations, votes, team discussions – it’s important changes happen from within a team, not to them. That way, they’ll feel they’ve accomplished something together.

  4. Spend quality time together:

    Don’t let it become all work and no play! After all, in early childhood education, we are experts at playing! Organise some team dinners or even a yearly staff retreat! Don’t forget to mark the end of the year with a celebration too. Some centres have a list of all staff birthdays so that if that member of your team is in on their special day, you can all sing happy birthday to them. A lovely gesture!

  5. Group professional development:

    A team that learns together can grow together, in the same direction. This is one of the reasons the Bonkers Beat programs and our Wellness Summits are so effective for centres and their culture – because we work with the entire team together. Take a look at teams having a great time and growing as educators together at our recent Bonkers Beat Wellness Summits here.

We’d love to hear how you help your team to bond and create a positive culture in your early childhood education service? Share with us on Facebook!

What you need to know about the new NQS

NQS changes

As you are probably aware, the National Quality Standard (NQS) changed on February 1, 2018. These changes are Australia-wide, and every approved childcare service will be rated based on this updated NQS.

To help educators, directors and owners, we’ve put together a Q and A to answer some of the common queries people may have at this time.

Parents may also be interested to learn of the changes to understand what areas a centre is rated for and what is expected of childcare services.

Getting to know the new NQS

What has changed?

According to ACECQA the changes are summarised as:

  • The number of standards of the NQS has been reduced from 18 to 15, and the elements from 58 to 40.
  • The language is clearer, and each standard and element now describes a single unique concept.
  • The new guidance will clarify the difference between the Meeting NQS and Exceeding NQS rating levels for each standard.
  • The application fee for the Excellent rating will be removed. Services must be rated Exceeding in all quality areas to be eligible.
  • The definition of the Significant Improvement Required rating will change from ‘unacceptable risk’ to ‘significant risk’ to increase clarity for families. Regulatory authorities will continue to work with these services to improve quality and impose sanctions where needed.

The hard work you have put in to achieve your NQS rating will not go to waste with these changes, that’s for sure.

We are excited to see the specific addition of wellbeing in Quality Area 2!

Why were NQS changes made?

Australian education ministers agreed to make changes to the NQF and NQS with the aim of continuing to strengthen and improve the standard of early childhood education across the country. The changes should make sure centres can deliver childcare and education to the youngest members of our communities more effectively and efficiently.

Will my current rating remain?

Yes, the rating you have that is based on the old NQS will remain until you are reassessed. Of course, your next assessment will be based on the new NQS.

Where can I learn more about the changes?

To see a side by side comparison of the old NQS and the updated version, head here.

You can also visit this page to see a summary of the changes to each area.

How do I keep up to date with the National Quality Framework on which the NQS is based?

The best thing to do is save this link to the online version of the Guide to the National Quality Framework. You can order a print version, however, the online version will always be the most up to date.

These changes should make getting your centre in shape for a top NQS Rating easier to understand. And at Bonkers Beat, we can’t wait to help you kick all your NQS goals in 2018 and beyond!

1 Day Workshop to give you the best start this year

With the first month of the year done and dusted already, many centre owners and directors are wondering: have we got 2018 off to the best start so far?

A good way to make sure you get 2018 off to the best start is with a free workshop covering all the biggest challenges faced by childcare centres today.

Music Kinder in Action and 7 Stones are free early childhood workshops in Melbourne and Perth and you’re invited!

Specifically designed for owners and directors of childcare centres and educational leaders, Music Kinder in Action and 7 Stones allow you to have a firsthand experience of what the right approach to early childhood education can do for your centre.

Chances are many of you are feeling the pressure from the influx of new centres popping up on every corner. But you’re not alone.

Centres that once thrived caring for children over decades are wondering how much longer they can keep their doors open. A childcare in Rosebery, Sydney has gone from full occupancy to on some days only having one baby to care for. Within 1km radius of their centre are eight new centres, all with vacancies too.

Standing out from the crowd and demonstrating that your centre delivers outcomes that benefit children in every aspect of their development is now crucial. Music Kinder in Action and 7 Stones will give you tools and strategies to do just that.

Our concepts are based on the approach of the award-winning Bonkers Beat Music and Wellbeing programs. It’s worth noting that centres running Bonkers Beat’s programs are showcasing a strong point of difference, incredible outcomes for children and impressive occupancy rates to show for it.

These workshops won’t cost you a thing, just an investment of your time into this inspiring and practical session.

REGISTER HERE

Let’s achieve something great together.

Hope to see you there.
Galina and the Bonkers Beat Team

Powered by WishList Member - Membership Software