19/9/02
The State Government will provide almost $1million to help childcare services that look after thousands of children before and after school hours to comply with new licensing and safety regulations.
Community Development Minister Sheila McHale today announced the funding package and the newly gazetted Community Services (Outside School Hours Care) Regulations 2002.
"While child care centres for pre-school children are required to be licensed and comply with minimum standards, no such requirements applied to school-aged children in care before and after school," Ms McHale said.
"I was surprised to find services for older children were not regulated and this anomaly has now been addressed."
The regulations were published in the Government Gazette on August 28 and come into operation in August 2003.
Some of the regulations include:
- criminal record checks for staff;
- cleanliness of premises;
- procedures for illness or accidents; and
- fitted smoke or fire detectors.
Over the next 12 months education, training and support will be provided to help services meet the new requirements including a $950,000 grants program.
"Each service can apply for a one-off grant of up to $10,000 to undertake minor works to meet requirements under the regulations," Ms McHale said.
The grants will help about 200 services and can be used for health and safety work such as fire detectors, telephones, first aid kits, flyscreens, floor coverings and security.
To be eligible a service must be an incorporated not-for-profit organisation, local government authority or religious/charitable organisation.
Ms McHale said the new regulations were developed through extensive consultation with outside school hours care services, parents, children and interested community members.
"The service providers have been preparing for the new regulations and many of them already comply," she said.
"If anyone is currently concerned about the safety of their children or the standards of their child care facility, they should discuss it with their service provider."
Minister's office: 9213 6900
