Return to Early Childhood Services from 18 October
On 30 September it was announced that all children will be able to return to Early Childhood services in NSW from 18 October. This advice is in line with the revised return to school plan, which will see schools begin a staggered return from 18 October, and is based on expectations of NSW passing a 70% rate of double vaccination in the community by 11 October.
As lockdown restrictions are lifted, the NSW Department of Education has recommenced some face to face visits and these will continue to be scheduled over the coming weeks and months. The department has put safeguards in place to ensure that any officer attending your service either prior to or following this date will be fully vaccinated prior to the visit.
Please visit our COVID Updates page for the latest information and advice during this lockdown period. COVID related Top Tips and other information can also be found on our News page, and we post latest information to our Facebook page here.
CCSA members can call the CCSA Infoline on (02) 4782 1470 or 1800 991 602 (option 2) for further support and for help with any COVID related questions.
Following our first successful series, we understand there are so many important issues currently impacting our sector that warrant further discussion. We invite you to join us in taking some time out, enjoying a cuppa, connecting and having some important conversations about these issues.
Session 2:
Wednesday 13 October Transitions:a three dimensional approach
Join us for a conversation on school transitions in early childhood settings in a COVID environment. Melody Stack from NSW Department of Education and Dr Kathryn Hopps, an Adjunct Research Associate at Charles Sturt University and a Consultant at Early Childhood Australia, will both be joining us to share their knowledge on the subject.
This is a CCSA members only series, with a focus on supporting each other. Limited spaces available.
CCSA's Annual General meeting will be held ONLINE at 10am on Thursday 28 October 2021. Go to our AGM webpage to see the Board nominee details, download an agenda and proxy voting form, and RSVP to attend.
We have changed the Forum start date to Wednesday 16 March for the evening cocktail networking event. The main Forum event will start at 8:30am on Thursday 17 March and close at 3pm on Friday 18 March. Tickets that have been purchased will be adjusted and resent accordingly. If you are unable to attend on these changed dates, please contact us and you will receive a full refund.
More Working with Children Check extensions announced
Working with Children Checks due to expire between 27 September 2021 and 26 January 2022 have been extended for three months. People who are granted an extension will be advised by email and the system will be automatically updated.
Most new employees are eligible to choose the super fund that their employer pays their super guarantee contributions to. From 1 November 2021, if a new employee doesn’t choose a super fund, employers will need to request their 'stapled super fund' details from the ATO.
DGRs need to register as a charity
Tax law has been amended so that from 14 December 2021, all non-government deductible gift recipients (DGRs) will need to register as a charity. This is likely to affect community preschools that operate School Building Funds but are not themselves registered as charities with the ACNC.
If an employee (other than a teacher in a preschool) has more leave than the amount they need to cover the service Christmas closure period, they may apply to take their remaining annual leave at a mutually agreed time during this year.
On 10 September 2021, the Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work) Amendment Act 2021 took effect. The Respect at Work Amendments expanded compassionate leave to include miscarriage.
COVID-19 Mandatory vaccination in the ECEC sector in NSW – what should we be doing?
What should we be doing right now to ensure our service is on the path to comply with the current COVID-19 ECEC Mandatory vaccination requirements in NSW? This is one of the most common questions our CCSA members have been asking our Member Support team of late.