Childcare service providers would have received an e-mail from the Federal Department of Education and Training (DET) (sent out at 3:21pm, Thursday, 12 July 2018) which included an update regarding “Transitions – absences before care”.
The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW) interprets the rules set out in the Department's e-mail update to be confusing and contradictory.
It is unclear whether:
- the Department is treating existing families (enrolled prior to 2 July receiving CCB/CCR) as if they are new families/bookings, where subsidies are not eligible prior to the first day of attendance and or after the last day of attendance; OR
- alternatively this advice only affects existing families that do not attend at all during the period 2 to 16 July 2018 - for example school holidays.
Through our National Committee, ACA NSW has requested clarification from DET to ensure that the families impacted by this rule are considered, given they may experience a significant and unexpected financial burden as a result of this decision (or limitation of the new system).
ACA NSW will provide further updates as soon as any further information comes to hand.