January 2009 will be for many a time when their child starts formalized childcare. This edition of our enews has some money saving ideas and some tips on how to make the transition easier for your child. We have made some comments about ABC Learning and a recent UNICEF report and would love to get your feedback.

Jane King
Mother of Cristian, 13 and Emily, 7
Founder of Parenting Australia

Australian parents were horrified by a recent UNICEF report confirming that Australia’s early childhood services are among the worst in the developed world. As Australia’s largest childcare operator, ABC learning Centres have not only driven their company into over $1bil in debt, impacting many businesses in Australia, but they have contributed to the disappointing outcome within the UNICEF report.

Yet the Government continues to throw them a ‘lifeline’ with $22 mil to keep the centres open until Dec 31st and a further $34 Mil to keep centres open until March 31st. Despite this injection of cash 55 centres will close as early as Jan 1st 2009.

ABC learning Centres continue to ask parents to ‘stay enrolled’ although the future is far from certain. So here we have a company which operated on huge amounts of Government money(CCB), invested in by mum and dad shareholders ( who have lost considerably), facing $1 bil of debt receiving a further injection of Government funds to the tune of $56 mil, contributing to the outcome of the UNICEF report AND continuing to ask parents for support!

Enough is enough! Parents cannot put their futures in the hands of ABC Learning Centres any more, it is time to seek out alternative arrangements and let ABC Learning face the consequences of liquidation as any other company in it’s current state would have to, without Government support and without the support of the parents who’s futures are in their hands.

Have your say on abc yoursay@parentingaustralia.com.au

In October 2007, we launched an insurance policy to pay for the cost of childcare fees if your children are unable to attend due to illness, www.kidscover.com.au. The cost of the policy varies depending on how much you pay in childcare fees each week, the policy has received great reviews from parents, media and the childcare industry, click here

How to select a childcare centre?

The following tips may help in your selection of a childcare centre.

Mother’s intuition is a good barometer and you will ‘feel’ when you have found a centre for your child, remember they will spend a great deal of their day there and so a home away from home atmosphere is essential.

National Childcare Accreditation Council will be able to help you locate centres in your local area.

Care for Kids is also recommended.

What is the staff per child ratio?

How long have the staff been working there?

What is the daily routine/timetable?

Do they serve hot lunches or do you need to provide a packed lunch?

Can you attend with you child during a settling in process and what is their recommendation? What are the centre rules/policies?

Is it clean? Do they have more than one staff member present at nappy change time?

What are the open hours?

What are the fees? Do you have to pay for sick days, public holidays?

Do they have a school readiness program?

Most families are eligible for Child Care Benefit, to find out more Australian Govt's Family Assistance Office.

Family day care is quality home based child care and its main difference being the small group setting where each child is treated as an individual, and daily experiences are tailored to each child’s developmental stage and interests.

No other formal child care service offers such low carer to child ratios – and this together with flexible hours, affordable rates, generous fee subsidies and a strong regulatory framework – makes family day care a child care option that is unique.

If your kids are anything like mine were when they started pre school you can be sure that you will become a ‘gatherer’ of socks, shoes, hats, even undies at the end of each day and unless you label absolutely everything will become the owner of a large odd sock collection or worse need to re purchase essential items, www.identikid.com.au offer an affordable range of labels to ensure the unaffordable option of repurchasing doesn’t happen, there’s time to order for Xmas gifts for friends or for your kids before they start formalized care next year.

If your child will be taking a packed lunch to school or childcare www.boxydesign.com.au has recently launched a comprehensive range of products to meet all their needs.

From backpacks to lunchboxes, freezer packs and drink bottles, created with children’s health and the environment in mind.

Of course before we all get back to the grind and off to school and day care, it’s time to party!! Lootbags, aim to make life really, really easy. All you do is choose from their fantastic value for money Loot Bag range and the kids party bags that suit you.

Your order will be speedily, efficiently whisked away to you the very next day, from $3.25 each with a money back guarantee if you are not 100% satisfied with their service. Easy, reliable and value for money.

What would a party be without music? We have worked with the lulu’s Perth’s leading children’s group for the last three years and Miss Irene has invited you to download their songs, your kids will love them.

To advertise in the newsletter send an email to sales@parentingaustralia.com.au