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August 19th, 2021

Govt must provide survival payments for early learning providers in crisis.

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GOVERNMENT MUST PROVIDE SURVIVAL PAYMENTS FOR EARLY LEARNING PROVIDERS IN CRISIS: THRIVE BY FIVE

19 August 2021 – Thrive by Five is calling on the Federal Government to urgently provide an emergency financial assistance package for the early learning and childcare sector.

Thrive by Five CEO Jay Weatherill said early educators provided essential support for young children’s learning and emotional development, but they had waited too long for Federal Government support in return.

“We need urgent Federal Government action to stabilise the early learning and childcare sector during the COVID crisis. It is the third time in two years this essential service has been on the brink of collapse,” Mr Weatherill said.

“If parents can’t access affordable, high quality early learning and childcare then they can’t work – it will be a brake on our economy and hold back opportunities for children, parents and women.

“The Federal Government needs a comprehensive plan, including financial assistance, so early learning providers can keep staff employed and providing them priority access to vaccines.

“Children and parents need this critical intervention to ensure the viability of the sector, educators deserve the Prime Minister’s respect and action to secure their jobs and income support.

“The Government must help providers make it through the pandemic so when we’re ready to safely open up our schools and businesses, our early learning sector is there to support children, parents and our economy,” Mr Weatherill said.