Goodstart welcomes Tehan announcement which will “keep the doors open”

As the largest early learning and care provider in Victoria, operating 130 services which are directly impacted by the Stage 4 restrictions in Victoria, Goodstart Early Learning has welcomed the support announced yesterday by Federal Minister for Education Dan Tehan.

 

CEO Julia Davison said the decision will allow its centres to stay open for the children of eligible families during the restriction period, which at this stage is scheduled to run for six weeks.

 

“Put simply the additional support will ensure we keep our doors open for the families of health care workers and other essential workers during the lock-down, keep our educators employed and our centres ready to welcome children back when the restrictions can be lifted,” she said.

 

“This will also be particularly important for the children of vulnerable and disadvantaged families who are struggling at the time” she added, saying that by granting families an additional 30 allowable absences, “Minister Tehan is effectively allowing families to keep their children at home for free during the current crisis”.

 

Ms Davison asked all Goodstart families to show their support for the educators and teachers by keeping their bookings in place, even if their children cannot attend.

 

She confirmed that no gap fees will be charged in Victoria during this period, and that children who cannot attend their centre will still be able to continue their learning and development by using Goodstart@Home resources.

 

Ms Davison paid tribute to all early childhood educators across Victoria, and to the 4,600 Goodstart educators who have kept turning up to work and providing quality learning and care for the children of essential workers, also thanking the 18,000 Victorian Goodstart families for their ongoing support.

 

“We know these are difficult times and Goodstart will continue to do all we can to support you,” she said, before acknowledging the on-going dialogue with the Federal Minister Dan Tehan and State Education Minister James Merlino. 

 

“Together they are helping to ensure that the ECEC sector in Victoria gets the support it needs to keep supporting children and families,” she added.