Federal government leaves families out in the rain

With more than 450 early learning services closed across Queensland and NSW due to catastrophic flooding, the Federal Government has instructed services that they must continue to charge parents gap fees even when they’re closed.  

With more than 450 early learning services closed across Queensland and northern NSW due to catastrophic flooding, the Federal Government has instructed services that they must continue to charge parents gap fees even when they’re closed.  

“The Federal Government has ignored urgent calls for financial assistance for parents and early learning providers at this time of need. Families and early educators who are already struggling with the catastrophic conditions are left standing in the rain,” The Parenthood Executive Director, Georgie Dent, said.  

“Parents should not have to pay full fees when their child’s early learning service literally cannot open because it has been flooded. Similarly early learning providers should not be forced by the government to charge families the full fees in these circumstances.”

The Parenthood is calling on the Education Minister Stuart Robert to support parents in Queensland and north NSW by enabling early learning providers to waive gap fees for parents and still collect the child care subsidy. It also calls on the Federal Government to deliver direct funding to services to cover waived gap fees and help providers pay their hardworking educators and remain sustainable.

“Thousands of families have been significantly impacted by the floods. Families and educators have lost their homes, their businesses, their belongings. It is not appropriate in this crisis for parents to have to pay for child care they cannot even use," Ms Dent said.

MEDIA CONTACT: For interviews with Executive Director Georgie Dent call 0400 437 434

Be the first to comment

Sign in with password

    Latest

    Jul

    08

    2025

    THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST ACT TO PROTECT CHILDREN AS PARENTS EXPERIENCE UNPRECEDENTED DISTRESS

    Early childhood and parenting advocates are urging the Federal Government to set up an independent Early Childhood Commission, as parents with young children in early...

    INDEPENDENT EARLY CHILDHOOD COMMISSION ESSENTIAL TO KEEP CHILDREN SAFE

    July 03, 2025

    Leading parent advocacy group The Parenthood supports The Greens’ call for a national, independent Early Childhood Commission to lead early childhood education and care reform,...

    VIC CHILDCARE SAFETY: SHOCKING AND DISTRESSING CHARGES UNDERSCORE NEED FOR NATIONAL COMMISSION

    July 01, 2025

    Reports of alleged abuse at childcare and early learning centres across Victoria are deeply distressing for parents and further underscore the need for the establishment...

    QLD BUDGET: FUNDING FOR CHILDCARE REGULATOR WELCOMED, BUT FEDERAL LEADERSHIP NEEDED

    June 26, 2025

    Early childhood advocates have welcomed the Queensland Government's decision to provide $12.7 million in ongoing funding for the state's Early Childhood Regulatory Authority [1] but...