THE Isolated Children's Parents' Association of Australia has welcomed today's announcement by federal Education Minister Dan Tehan that the In-Home Care transitional provisions for remote families will be extended for two years.
Mr Tehan said the change recognised the challenges faced by IHC educators working in remote Australia and would help ensure educators were available to support remote families unable to access mainstream child care.
ICPA federal president Alana Moller said it was pleasing to see that as a result of ICPA Australia's representations to the Minister and his staff, the challenges for geographically-isolated families had been recognised.
"Access to child care in rural and remote Australia is a major concern for ICPA members and to extend the transitional provisions for IHC educators to earn their qualifications shows that the federal government have listened to suggestions made during our discussions," she said.
ICPA Aust said it would continue to work with Mr Tehan's office to ensure that the concerns of members were considered during future decision making.
Mr Tehan said the government was supporting remote families and ensuring the child care sector had a highly-skilled workforce.
"Accessing early childhood educators in a home environment gives families a flexible option to balance their work and parenting responsibilities," he said.
"It is crucial that qualified educators are available to provide care and early learning opportunities to remote Australian families."
The government has extended the deadline for IHC educators to earn their qualification to December 31, 2021.
To meet the transitional requirements, IHC educators must access the expertise of an educator with at least a Certificate III in early childhood education and care, for at least 20 per cent of time care is provided, or have been continuously employed at an early education and care service in a remote or very remote area for at least 15 years.
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