The Australian Nanny Association (ANA) welcomes the confirmation in the federal budget announcement of a $250 million Interim Home Based Carer Pilot Programme (Nannies Trial) to extend subsidy support to eligible families using nannies. The pilot programme will extend fee assistance to eligible parents of approximately 10,000 children.
Subsidised support for families included in the nanny trial will be based on the new Child Care Subsidy introduced on the 1st July 2015 and capped at $7 per hour per child.
The nanny pilot will assist many shift working families who are currently unable to drop off or pick up their child from their childcare centre or Family Day Care.
The ANA is of the view that there still needs to be further consultation on the scope of the nanny trial and additional consideration given to a small percentage of families who may require overnight care. With the capped rate of $7 per hour per child, families requiring overnight care or with fewer than three children may still struggle to afford to pay a nanny to assist them.
The ANA believes that with further consultation of eligible families and relevant peak bodies, the nanny pilot will be successful over the two year trial period.
For interviews:
Annemarie Sansom, ANA Vice President / Spokesperson
0448430370
annemarie@australiannannyassociation.org.au
Response to announcement of a nanny pilot program.
Statement by The Australia Nanny Association in response to Minister Morrison’s announcement on the subsidised nanny pilot program.
The ANA welcomes Minister Morrison’s announcement that the government will run a pilot nanny program which will assist families with flexible childcare in their homes. Embracing and understanding the changing childcare needs of Australia’s families is crucial to be able to provide quality, flexible childcare and support parents to work.
We are really pleased to hear that Australia’s key emergency personnel such as police, fire, and ambulance personnel, along with nurses and other shift workers will finally be able to access flexible childcare in their homes. This is a positive step in the right direction for early childhood care and it is exciting to be moving into a more modern, adaptive system for our future childcare needs.
Working as nannies and caring for children in their own homes is a privilege, and one that we take very seriously. We understand the mandated criteria and look forward to further consultation with the government and other stakeholders to ensure the pilot program is tailored for quality, when proceeding with the two-year program. The ANA is thankful to have experienced members from all areas of the early childhood sector and we value their ongoing support and input.
The ANA has always believed there should be more support and training offered to nannies providing childcare in the home, and has been in discussions with ACECQA and training providers with a view to addressing this issue. Many of the nannies currently working in Australia hold centre based childcare qualifications however we are hopeful that there will be a nanny specific qualification available in the near future.
For interviews:
Annemarie Sansom, ANA Vice President / Spokesperson
0448430370
annemarie@australiannannyassociation.org.au
