The Australian Childcare Alliance (ACA) NSW is very grateful to the NSW Department of Education's Early Childhood Education Directorate for listening to us and other peak bodies via their Advisory Group meeting on 10 March 2020, and their announcement made on 12 March 2020 regarding how the NSW Regulatory Authority will assist NSW-based services while they address the impact of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The NSW Department of Education's Early Childhood Education Directorate published their COVID-19 specific update on 12 March 2020 addressing the following questions:
- Who will direct services to close in the event of an outbreak of COVID-10?
- What should services do if they are directed to close by NSW Health?
- What happens if staff are directed to self-isolate?
- What financial support will be available to services impacted by COVID-19?
- Will Assessment and Rating go ahead for services impacted by COVID-19?
- Will Roadshows go ahead?
ACA NSW is particularly appreciative of the fact that the NSW Department of Education will receive applications for waivers for qualifications and/or ratios in situations where staff members are required to self-isolate. Fees for such waivers will be waived and expedited to minimise disruptions to service provision. Services can apply for waivers through the NQAITS. And services can contact the NSW Department of Education's Early Childhood Directorate on 1800 619 113.
For arguably the most comprehensive index (ie list) of government and non-government information and resources in relation to COVID-19, you may like to consider ACA NSW's Novel Coronavirus Watch. Services can also view the latest recent video/webinar about COVID-19 ACA NSW's Novel Coronavirus: (Virtually) Everything you need to know. ACA NSW members can access this for free, while non-members will be charged a small fee.
PUBLISHED: 13 MARCH 2020
UPDATED: 17 MARCH 2020