While yesterday’s announcement in relation to significant short term reform of Government funding for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector was cautiously welcomed, more needs to be done to ensure jobs within the sector are preserved, both the New South Wales/Australian Capital Territory branch of the Independent Education Union (IEU NSW/ACT) and the United Workers Union (UWU) have said.

While many early childhood education and care (ECEC) services still operational around Australia, service owners, operators and leaders are conscious of their obligations in relation to Work Health and Safety (WHS) laws which require all employers to take care of the health and safety of their workers (staff, contractors, volunteers) and others (children, parents and visitors) at the workplace.

Over the coming days The Sector will be bringing you an informative series, designed to explore the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic for employers. Covering issues such as employee safety, workplace obligations, leave entitlements and managing business continuity, the series is a must-read, tailored to the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector, based on generalised advice from law firm Corrs Chambers Westgarth.

Early Childhood Australia (ECA) has encouraged those considered vulnerable to COVID-19 infection to approach their employers with their leadership team as the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector continues to navigate the unfolding pandemic.

The Office of the Children’s Guardian, the New South Wales authority charged with monitoring working with children clearances in the state, have been in touch with thousands of educators, and others who have roles requiring clearance, to extend the date of expiration on their clearance for an additional six months.