On behalf of members across the nation, the Australian Childcare Alliance asked the Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Simon Birmingham, to extend the deadline for childcare service providers’ use of the remaining Long Daycare Professional Development Programme (LDCPDP) funding by 6 more months to 31 December 2017 instead of its current deadline of 30 June 2017.

As of last week (19 May 2017), the Federal Minister has confirmed to ACA National President Paul Mondo that he will not be extending the LDCPDP funding deadline beyond 30 June 2017 as follows:

"I have given careful consideration to your request and to the information and arguments outlined in your letter. Although I acknowledge there were delays in making the initial LDCPDP payments I note that most funding recipients have had over two years in which to plan and commence professional development for their staff. I also note that there is still time to utilise this program. Where there is a commitment to formal training, such as a LDCPDP Certificate III, units paid for and commenced before 30 June 2017 are still eligible for LDCPDP funding.

Given the flexibility in the LDCPDP guidelines and the amount of funding provided to services and the time still remaining to apply for funding, I think two years is a reasonable amount of time for services to have spent the funding provided.

I also note the recommendation of the Australian Productivity Commission in the Childcare and Early Childhood Learning Inquiry Report, which was accepted by the Australian Government, that:

'ECEC [Early Childhood Education. and Care] employers should accept primary responsibility for the funding and support of ongoing professional development...Funding for the Long Day Care Professional Development Program should not he extended once the current funding arrangements have expired.'

While I appreciate the issues you have raised, I do not propose to pursue an amendment of the LDCPDP funding guidelines, which would be necessary to give effect to an extension, and consider the current program end date of 30 June 2017 is appropriate."