Goodstart, Australia’s largest not for profit provider of early learning and care, has welcomed today’s announcement by the Federal Government that centres closed due to this week’s flooding will be allowed to waive gap fees and claim Government subsidies.
115 Goodstart centres in Queensland and New South Wales closed this week due to floods, impacting over 5,500 families. While most centre have since reopened, 19 centres remain closed today, with six centres sustaining serious flood damage.
Goodstart CEO Julia Davison said the decision today will help Goodstart to support its educators and families as centres recover from the floods.
“Goodstart wanted to waive fees for our families in centres closed due to flood. We believe families should not be charged when a centre closes its doors due to a natural disaster,” she said.
“Waiving fees this week would have cost Goodstart around $1.5 million, a significant sum for a not-forprofit organisation. Today’s decision allows us to recover Child Care Subsidy for the week, covering the wages of our educators in affected centres.
“I thank Minister Robert for responding so quickly to our request to support centres wanting to waive fees for families during this terrible flooding event.
“Many Goodstart educators and families have lost their homes or suffered significant property damage and we will continue to offer support to our people as they recover.
“We also face the daunting prospect of major repairs to at least six centres that were flooded, and are working get other centres reopened as soon as possible,” Ms Davison said.
115 Goodstart centres in Queensland and New South Wales closed this week due to floods, impacting over 5,500 families. While most centre have since reopened, 19 centres remain closed today, with six centres sustaining serious flood damage.
Goodstart CEO Julia Davison said the decision today will help Goodstart to support its educators and families as centres recover from the floods.
“Goodstart wanted to waive fees for our families in centres closed due to flood. We believe families should not be charged when a centre closes its doors due to a natural disaster,” she said.
“Waiving fees this week would have cost Goodstart around $1.5 million, a significant sum for a not-forprofit organisation. Today’s decision allows us to recover Child Care Subsidy for the week, covering the wages of our educators in affected centres.
“I thank Minister Robert for responding so quickly to our request to support centres wanting to waive fees for families during this terrible flooding event.
“Many Goodstart educators and families have lost their homes or suffered significant property damage and we will continue to offer support to our people as they recover.
“We also face the daunting prospect of major repairs to at least six centres that were flooded, and are working get other centres reopened as soon as possible,” Ms Davison said.