Minister meets with child care forum

Minister for Community Services Larry Anthony met with members of the National Children’s Services Forum (NCSF) today in Canberra.

Mr Anthony welcomed the NCSF’s support for the Government’s new Child Care Benefit (CCB).

The NCSF said the Government’s CCB has made child care more affordable for lower and middle income families, and is good for child care centres with increased numbers of families using child care.

“This is an excellent endorsement of the Government’s policies, given that the NCSF is made up of providers of long day care, family day care, outside school hours care, ethnic children’s services, early childhood services, community based children’s services and playgroups,” said Mr Anthony.

“Such recognition by this peak body proves we have delivered for families and child care services.”

Mr Anthony said the NCSF raised other issues covering the implementation of the CCB, quality assurance, service planning and staffing issues.

“This Government has moved away from Labor’s ad hoc approach to child care, planning to deliver the highest quality child care where families need it most,” said Mr Anthony.

“I am always happy to listen to what the industry has to say, and always open to new ideas on how we can deliver more for families.