New Geccko course helps ECEC professionals respond to disasters and emergencies

Free online training supports educators, centre managers and approved providers with critical information for emergency preparedness and response.

A new 20-minute course from Geccko offers early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals clear, practical guidance on how to support families and services when disaster strikes.

The Disasters and emergencies course is now available via the Geccko training platform, and covers a range of essential topics including:

• when a Child Care Subsidy (CCS) period of emergency may be declared
• support measures for families, such as gap fee waivers and additional allowable absences
• options for finding care for displaced children
• key considerations for emergency and disaster preparedness planning
• mandatory reporting obligations for services
• recovery options, including grants for services, additional subsidies for families, and other supports.

The course provides a useful refresher or induction resource for educators and centre managers, and aligns with services’ obligations under the National Quality Framework to maintain up-to-date emergency and evacuation policies and procedures.

Participants can complete the course in one sitting making it ideal for staff meetings or professional development planning.

To access the Disasters and emergencies course, visit Geccko.