New National Childcare Accreditation Council Board Chairman Appointed

The Howard Government has appointed a new chairman to the National Childcare Accreditation Council (NCAC) Board to continue its important work in ensuring families have access to high quality child care services in Australia.

The Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Kay Patterson, today announced the appointment of June McLoughlin as the Board’s chairman for two years, commencing on 2 December 2005.

“Ms McLoughlin will utilise her experience and skills to further enhance quality in the child care sector, as well as advising Government on relevant policies, programs and services,” Senator Patterson said.

“Over the past six years, Ms McLoughlin has managed numerous activities in the early childhood, family support and children’s services fields and will bring to the Board her leadership and management expertise in the areas of child care and early childhood policy.

“I commend and thank NCAC’s outgoing chairman, John Tainton, for his invaluable service to the Board and for driving the continuous improvement of quality child care in Australia.

“First appointed as a member of the NCAC Board in 1995, then as chairman from 2000, Mr Tainton is a well-known and highly respected spokesperson for NCAC and a strong advocate for quality child care.

“Established to implement and administer Quality Assurance (QA) for Long Day Care services, the NCAC now also manages QA systems for Family Day Care and Outside School Hours Care in Australia.

“The NCAC is central to the Howard Government’s commitment to making high quality child care available to Australian families and its efforts ensure our QA systems continue to be internationally recognised for providing a safe and nurturing environment for children,” Senator Patterson said.