Andrew Leigh

For working parents, up-to-date information about childcare and schools is critical to make good decisions on health and work. This information is current as of the 29th of May 2020.

Childcare

The costs and availability of childcare in this time of crisis are a particular worry for many people. 

Providers and educators are all doing extraordinary and essential work in difficult circumstances, and continuing to educate and care for children at a time when many other services have ceased.

In the ACT, childcare centres will remain open for the foreseeable future. The ACT Education Directory has compiled important information about these services here.

Relief

The Federal Government has announced the Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package that gives families fee relief while supporting child care services to keep their doors open and employees in their jobs. 

Until the end of financial year, for families which were already in the system, child care will now be free.

You won’t need to pay child care fees when you access child care between 6 April and 28 June 2020.

During this time, you should:

• enrol or re-enrol your child with a service
• keep your child enrolled
• continue using child care as you need

Based on available information, the new system will apply to long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, in home care – all services participating in the current Child Care Subsidy system.

After this date, please see the Department of Education, Skills and employment's website and FAQs.

Schools

ACT Public Schools will scale back remote throughout term 2. 

For the most up-to-date notices about ACT public schools, I would direct you to the Education Directorate’s website.  

The three stage return of face to face learning is:

• From Monday 18 May (week 4 of term 2): pre-school, kindergarten, year 1, 2, 7 and years 11 and 12. College students will attend a combination of on-campus and remote learning, with colleges making arrangements to support learning on-campus for students and subject matter that requires it.
• From Monday 25 May ( week 5 of term 2): year 3, 4 and 10 students.
• From Tuesday 2 June (week 6 of term 2, following the Reconciliation Day long weekend): the remaining year levels of Year 5, 6, 8 and 9.

For schools which open, action needs to be taken to make sure students and staff have access to proper handwashing and sanitation facilities, and appropriate social distancing arrangements are in place. The federal government also needs to ensure measures are in place to support the health and safety of vulnerable teachers and other school staff.

Stay up to date at the ACT Government's website.

My message to young folk

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