Morrison Government delivers new website to help families find the right childcare service for their kids

Australian families can compare childcare services and their fees following the launch of the Morrison Government’s new website: StartingBlocks.gov.au.

Families can visit StartingBlocks.gov.au to find local childcare services, view vacancies, compare costs, and check official quality ratings, including safety.

Federal Member for Bonner Ross Vasta MP encouraged all families to visit the website and said it will have special appeal to the 250,000 families with more than one child aged under six who will get a higher subsidy soon.

“Childcare costs can place a great amount of pressure on families, that is why our Federal Government is committed to helping families save money, so they can keep more of what they make in their own wallets, Mr Vasta said.

“StartingBlocks will also provide quality ratings for things such as safety standards, this will mean families can feel more certain when they are making the decision on where to send their children for childcare.”

On average, families will be better off $2,260 per year, with families with three children in care saving up to $370 a week on out-of-pocket costs.

Acting Minister for Education and Youth, Stuart Robert MP, said the website gives parents a new central place to make important choices about the early education and care needs for their children.

“I’m particularly excited because thousands of families will be able to see the significant savings they’ll make when the higher Child Care Subsidy we introduced comes into effect on 7 March,” Minister Robert said.

“The website features two new very cool tools to help families make one of their most important decisions—who is going to look after and educate their children in these formative years.

“The first feature is a comparison checker for families to assess services against each other and determine which one is best for them. The second main feature is a simple-to-use calculator where families can plug in their details and get an estimate of their out-of-pocket costs.

“In only a few clicks, on mobile, laptop or desktop computer, parents can get accurate and current information to help them find the right service for their kids.’

“We know how critical childcare is to around one million Australian families. It is why the Morrison Government has invested heavily in early childhood education and care,’ Minister Robert said.

“Next financial year, the Morrison Government will invest around $11 billion in the childcare system to reduce costs for families and support workforce participation.

“In December, we removed the annual cap for all families who are eligible for childcare.”

CEO of the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA), Gabrielle Sinclair said children deserve the best quality early education and care, and StartingBlocks is an easy way to navigate Australia’s more than 16,500 approved early childhood education and care services.

“As the national authority, ACECQA is pleased to work with the Australian Government to reduce complexity for parents by enhancing StartingBlocks as the government-approved website to find and compare quality ratings, vacancies, fees and service inclusions in one convenient location.”

StartingBlocks.gov.au replaces the existing Child Care Finder website and reduces burden on approved providers of early education and care services, who no longer need to provide their fee and vacancy data separately to Child Care Finder.

 

Read More

PLANTING TREES FOR THE QUEEN’S JUBILEE

Eligible groups and organisations in Bonner are invited to contact my office to discuss potential projects for nomination for an Australian Government grant to plant trees in honour of the legacy of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and her 70 years of service to Australia and the Commonwealth.

During this time, The Queen has visited Australia on 16 occasions, and on many of these visits has planted trees at community events and ceremonies—leaving a long-lasting reminder of the special occasion for the people in those communities. In fact, The Queen is said to have planted 1500 trees throughout Her reign.

The Planting Trees for The Queen’s Jubilee Program is one of a range of national and community events planned by the Australian Government to celebrate The Queen’s Jubilee year.

Ross Vasta MP Federal Member for Bonner welcomed the opportunity for local community groups to play a part in the celebrations.

“What better way to celebrate the incredible service of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, than by planting trees and creating more green spaces for our local community and for generations to come,” Mr Vasta said.

Grants from $2,500 to $20,000 will be available to a broad range of organisations with each federal electorate eligible to receive up to $100,000 for up to 10 projects.

Projects that are suitable must include formal commemorative events in 2022 to mark the Jubilee, plantings of regionally‑appropriate tree species, and installation of commemorative signage or plaques.

For more information and for how to get involved visit: https://business.gov.au/ptqj

 

Read More