The resilience of services is again being tested. Our sincere thoughts are with all of those members now experiencing flooding or still recovering from earlier floods. At a time when we would be hoping to focus on end of year celebrations many of you are faced with massive clean ups and disruption, and managing the impact of these natural disasters. We have been taking many calls from our members; offering support, talking through processes and just being that listening ear on the end of the phone. We also continue to advocate for further on-the-ground support; whether that be access to counselling services for staff and families, support with grants or looking at relocation solutions for services. We will continue to keep you updated as approvals and more information comes through from the Department.
Our advocacy has been critical as we move through many announcements, policy positions and proposals by both state and federal government...
CCSA is thinking of all of our members and communities who continue to experience the impacts of flooding across eastern Australia. See the full list of affected LGAs here.
If you’re directly affected by this declared disaster, individuals maybe eligible for disaster assistance payments. Visit the Services NSW website for more information.
For current information visit our Flood Support webpage. Please contact member support on 1800 991 602 option 2, should you have any queries or just need to talk. We are here for you.
The Community Child Care Fund (CCCF) special circumstances grant helps services stay open when something unexpected happens. Services can apply when a local emergency or natural disaster threatens their ability to stay open.
Now Available! Committee Induction Self-paced Learning Package
Specifically designed for committee members managing Early Childhood services across Australia, this self-paced learning package provides an introduction to the key areas of governance and management in the early childhood sector. Complete the modules in your own time, at your own pace and from anywhere that suits you!
Existing directors / board members of companies limited by guarantee need to have applied for their director ID by 30 November 2022. Some exceptions apply:
Committee members of incorporated associations are only required to obtain a director ID if their organisation holds an Australian Registered Body Number (ARBN).
Directors of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander corporations who were first appointed on or before 31 October 2022 have until 30 November 2023 to obtain their director ID.
The NSW Department of Education is inviting eligible services to apply to take part in universal pre-Kindergarten pilots being held in the following four regions:
Mount Druitt
Wagga Wagga
Kempsey - Nambucca
Bourke - Cobar - Coonamble.
Expression of interest for eligible services are now open to complete online until 16th December 2022.
Avoid Losing DGR Status for your School Building Fund
Most non-government deductible gift recipient (DGR) organisations need to be registered as a charity before 14 December 2022 or they will lose DGR status. This includes school building funds established by community preschools.
Applications are now open for the NSW Department of Education 2023 High Learning Support Needs program. Community preschools can apply for funding to develop and deliver individual learning plans (ILPs). Applications for Quarter 1 close 2 December 2022.
Visit the NSW Department of Education website for more information and resources, including templates for preschool observations.
The NSW Teacher Accreditation Manual (TA Manual) combines new teacher accreditation reforms and will replace all existing teacher accreditation policies. CCSA encourages our members to read the manual and share with employees.
Western Sydney University are looking to partner with services to recruit participants for a study about obesity prevention among children in at-risk families living in Greater Western Sydney. This is a 6 week program for parents and carers of 5 to 11 year old children which will provide parents with knowledge and skills about parenting and healthy lifestyles. This new knowledge and skills may help improve the family environment to prevent unhealthy weight gain in these children.
If you have families that might be interested in participating you can phone 4620 3287 or email strongfamilies@westernsydney.edu.au for further information, or visit the following website.
2023 Administrator Network Forum - Registrations Open
A new year with all new content! This is an exciting opportunity for Administrators to grow in their role, demystify some of the myriad regulations that apply to the sector, develop peer to peer connections and learn from experts as well as each other.
Special Offer until 23 November 2022: $799 for 1 participant $1,100 for 2 participants from the same service
Single Touch Payroll (STP) has been extended to include further information
This will reduce the additional reporting requirements that need to be advised to various government agencies. It will also assist Services Australia customers to receive the right payment at the right time.
Our 2022 Christmas Pay Guide printed copy will be arriving in the mail soon for our members. The online version is available to view on our website.
Members can register for one of our FREE one hour webinars to build on the information in the 2022 Christmas Pay Guide and provide a more in-depth understanding of your payment obligations over the Christmas period.
CCSA 2023 Calendars for all States and Territories are now available for members to download from our website. A printed copy will be included with members 2022 Christmas Pay Guide.
Members can also find the 2023 Term Dates and Public Holidays on our website here.
Wellbeing Initiatives for Early Childhood Professionals
CCSA is excited to launch a new section of our website dedicated to the wellbeing of everyone working in the early childhood education and care sector.
Together with Early Childhood Educator’s Well-being Project (ECEWP) we have created the Wellbeing Initiatives for Early Childhood Professionals. This initiative will allow services to share valuable ideas on wellbeing strategies that have been successfully, or unsuccessfully, implemented within their service.
What are my Responsibilities as an Approved Provider?
What does it mean to be an Approved Provider, what are the responsibilities of this role and how are these responsibilities managed in an early childhood service?
Page 28 of the 2022/23 Governance and Management Snapshot answers these questions and outlines the regulatory framework which sets the obligations that must be met by the Approved Provider.
When a children’s service shuts down over the Christmas period, employees will take their annual leave. To calculate payments for staff over the Christmas closure, you will need to consider each individual employee’s annual leave entitlement, their work pattern, and any terms or conditions provided for in the relevant award or enterprise agreement.
From 14 October 2022, it will no longer be mandatory to self-isolate at home if someone tests positive to COVID-19. What does this mean for early childhood services?
COVID-19 and Vaccinations Guide - a Risk Based Approach
CCSA has developed a printable guide to assist our members to make informed decisions about the management of COVID-19 within their services, including what to consider such as staff, policies and risk assessments.
For the latest COVID information go to our COVID Updates Page. 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.