COVID-19: NSW Roadmap to "Normal" needs more information

October 5th, 2021 Latest News

Although NSW's "freedom day" appears to be 1 December 2021, there are actually more questions than available answers for NSW's early childhood education and care services, their parents/guardians and children.


Given that there are effectively five stages going forward, namely:


  1. from now until 10 October 2021
  2. from 11 October 2021 to 24 October 2021
  3. from 25 October 2021 to 7 November 2021
  4. from 8 November 2021 to 30 November 2021
  5. from 1 December 2021 onwards

... the four key dates tentatively being:


  • 11 October 2021 - NSW achieves 70% of its eligible population to be fully COVID vaccinated
  • 25 October 2021 - NSW achieves 80% of its eligible population to be fully COVID vaccinated
  • 8 November 2021 - all ECEC personnel must be fully COVID vaccinated before they can be at their services
  • 1 December 2021 - NSW's apparent "freedom day"

And in respect of the above five stages, the Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW has been in discussions with government agencies on the following:


  1. Will there continue to no effective restrictions on children’s attendances?

  2. When will parents/guardians/visitors have physical entry into the premises and under what circumstances?

  3. Will there be a continuing of the wearing of facemasks?

  4. Will there be a continuation of the requirement of full COVID vaccinations for all ECEC personnel?

  5. When will orientation tours of prospective families be allowed?

  6. When will normal graduations be allowed and under what circumstances?

  7. Will there be a continuation of the implementation of ServiceNSW QR codes at ECEC services?

  8. Will there be a continuation of the carrying of ServiceNSW permits carried by some ECEC personnel?

  9. When will Additional Absences cease? And if COVID cases occurs, will Additional Absences be available?

  10. When will the waivers of gap fees cease? And under what circumstances will it return?

  11. When will Business Continuity Payments (BCPs) cease? And if COVID cases occur, will BCPs be available?

  12. When will JobSaver cease? And if COVID cases occur again, will JobSaver be available?

  13. When will COVID-19 Disaster Payments cease? And will Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment be available?

  14. Will unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave changes to awards continue?

  15. How will the temporary closures (if any) of services change in the future?

It is ACA NSW's intentions to share the information to the above questions as soon as possible. They will also be discussed at the upcoming two ACA NSW Network Meetings on 8 October 2021 and 18 October 2021.


In the meantime, should ACA NSW members require any further information/clarification, please contact the ACA NSW team on 1300 556 330 or nsw@childcarealliance.org.au. 


PUBLISHED: 5 OCTOBER 2021

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