Ombudsman backs calls for Australia to “click for Vic” – how can ECEC support?

Australia’s Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman Kate Carnell has welcomed the Victorian Government’s ‘Click for Vic’ initiative, and is encouraging consumers to carefully consider where their spending is going.

 

The early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector has the opportunity to support Victoria’s economic recovery through careful selection of resources, products and services which are based in Victoria. A list of potential businesses to support has been included at the end of this article, and readers are encouraged to conduct further research into ways in which Victorian businesses can be supported at this time. 

 

“It’s never been more important to spend locally,” Ms Carnell said, acknowledging that while things are “difficult across the board for a lot of people at the moment”, and many don’t have a lot of spare cash to spend” it is important to think carefully about how spending decisions impact across the board. 

 

“What might seem like a small amount can make all the difference to a small business deciding whether to open tomorrow, or just making sure they can pay their bills,” she added.

 

Recent analysis conducted by Deloitte Access Economics suggests that as much as 10 per cent of Australian small businesses may be forced to close when a number of supports cease at the end of September, something Ms Carnell said was “really sobering” and should “serve as a wake-up call about what we stand to lose.”

 

Ms Carnell reiterated her calls for the Government to mandate payment times to small businesses in the wake of large businesses pushing payments to small businesses out to as much as 180 days.

 

“I continue to be disappointed in large businesses extending payment times to small businesses through this period,” Ms Carnell said.

 

Victorian based businesses with ECEC aligned offerings

 

 

• Birch and Bear – Operating from a small shop front in Northcote, Melbourne, Birch and Bear is “a curated hub of handmade and vintage” and a unique collection of ethical treasures for play with a focus on natural materials and a love of recycling and upcycling.

 

• Growing Child – a small business based on the Mornington Peninsula which stocks professional quality products that will inspire children to learn whilst having fun, and look after the environment where possible too! 

 

 

• Honeybee Toys – with a shopfront in Malvern, Honeybee toys have been in business since 2004 supplying the very best handcrafted wooden and natural toys for imagination, wonder and joy, inspired by Waldorf Education and designed to nurture the imagination and the whole child.

 

• M.A.N Made Creations – a Melbourne-based, Australian family-owned business which provides handcrafted wooden furniture and play equipment to Kindergartens, Preschools, Childcare Centres and schools. 

 

• The Little Bookroom – The world’s oldest children’s bookstore, based in Carlton. The Little Bookroom opened in 1960, and offers a range of unique services such as a seasonal subscription which will see three Australian children’s books delivered by courier Australia wide every three months. 

 

• T&P Pre School Equipment – an Australian owned and operated family business based in Dandenong, operating since 1984, selling a range of ECEC furnishings and resources. 

 

• Yarn Strong Sista – based in Westmeadows, Yarn Strong Sista offer a range of services including visits to Early Childhood environments to facilitate storytelling and arts workshops with children, hosting Professional Development training for Educators, facilitating arts experiences and face-painting at festivals and events, and providing First Nations designed resources and educational tools.

 

Please note, inclusion of businesses on this list is not an endorsement of quality by The Sector. All services are encouraged to do their own research, and select options which best suit their needs. This list is not exhaustive.