11 August 2021

REMINDER: additional allowable absences for eligible COVID-19 hotspot areas

The Australian Government announced last week that all early childhood services in a declared COVID-19 hotspot can now access additional allowable absences, if the declaration extends for more than seven days.

This means that families will not have to use their 42 allowable absences during any lockdown that extends for more than seven days.

These additional allowable absences will be available until the end of the declaration.

You can find out if you are in a Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspot on the Department of Health website.

Your chance to WIN with the July FDC Educator Hacks!

A reminder to submit your entry for our July edition of FDC Educator Hacks for your chance to win a FREE Bunnings gift card!

Your challenge: to come up with a fun, low-cost and innovative program, activity or resource connected to an area or element of the NQS, that reflects this month’s theme.

Your prize: the winner of each month will receive a $50 Bunnings e-gift card and a dedicated post on our Facebook page featuring their creation!

The theme for our July edition is “Sustainability”.

How to enter

To submit your FDC Educator Hacks entry, simply send us a Facebook message here with:

- Your FDCA membership number;

- A high resolution photograph or video of your creation; AND

- 100 words or less on how your creation fits this month’s theme and how it connects to the NQS.

Submissions for our July FDC Educator Hacks will close at 11:59pm on Friday 20 August 2021, with the winner to be notified and announced on our Facebook page on Friday 27 August 2021.

Best of luck to all entrants and happy “hack-ing”

Resources to support transition to school and reading with toddlers

ACECQA's family focused website, StartingBlocks.gov.au is updated regularly with evidence-informed and downloadable resources for parents and families. 

These contemporary resources are available for your consideration and to share with your families and communities:

• Transition to School outlines factors to  support children in the transition to school, including the role that children’s education and care services play in this transition, helping children to settle into their schooling environment.
• Reading with Toddlers includes contributions by Raising Literacy Australia and offers tips on supporting children’s literacy from a young age.

Visit the StartingBlocks.gov.au website for a range of useful resources, fact sheets and infographics to share with your network.

 YES, we cover overnight care – supporting you to support more Australian families!‍

One of the many benefits of family day care is its ability to support the needs of Australian families, including shift workers, essential workers and those requiring high quality education and care outside of the standard hours offered by other ECEC types.

As your national peak body, we recognise that family day care isn’t always a 9 to 5 job, with many of our members providing a diverse range of care options.

That’s why outside hours and overnight care is automatically covered under our public liability insurance policy for educators.

For more information on how you can have the best protection for you and your business, from an organisation that’s lived and breathed family day care for over 30 years, contact our friendly insurance team on 1800 658 699 or visit our website.

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