Childcare and lockdown – what you need to know during Stage 3

PARENTS can keep children enrolled in childcare at home for free during the pandemic, Victoria’s largest early learning and care provider says.

The news came as the federal government added 30 days to allowed absence for regional Victorian families and waived gap fees for outside =hours school care (OHSC).

Goodstart Early Learning chief executive Julia Davison said the move would ensure centres stayed open.

“By granting families an additional 30 days of absences under the childcare subsidy, (federal Education) Minister (Dan) Tehan is effectively allowing families to keep their children at home for free during the current crisis,” she said.

“This will also be particularly important for the children of vulnerable and disadvantaged families. We will be asking all of our families to show their support ... by keeping their bookings in place, even if their children cannot attend.”

A Geelong council spokeswoman said its sessional kindergarten, long day care, family day care and maternal and child health services would continue during Stage 3 restrictions.

“Gap fees will be waived if a child is absent from care for

COVID-related reasons,” she said. “This means there will be no cost to families.

“If the absence is for other reasons, the federal government will continue to pay the childcare subsidy for up to 72 days, with families charged the remaining gap fee.”

The spokeswoman said 2746 places were available in council childcare per week.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison this week said regional

Victoria OHSC providers would be paid 15 per cent of their revenue from August 6, in addition to the 25 per cent transition payment and the childcare subsidy.

“We will also make direct payments to childcare centres so they stay operational and staff are kept with an employment guarantee, while remaining open for workers and vulnerable families,” he said.

In response to COVID-19, the federal government will pay childcare providers 25 cent more until late September, increase support for families experiencing financial hardship, and provide $6m for childcare for children of essential workers and vulnerable children.

Meanwhile, the activity test for the childcare subsidy has been eased until October 4, with families receiving up to 100 hours per fortnight of subsidised care during this period.