Insights Sectors: Childcare

Oct 9, 2023

INSIGHT: Cyber Security Awareness Month – Are you cyber aware?

October is Cyber Security Awareness Month (CSAM). CSAM is an annual reminder for Australians to stay safe online and protect your online information and assets. The theme for CSAM 2023 is ‘be cyber aware – don’t compromise’. CSAM is an opportunity for businesses to review their understanding of ‘cyber security’ as a concept while continuing […]

Jun 27, 2023

INSIGHT: Show Cause Notices issued to childcare providers: do you understand your obligations?

A childcare provider who receives a Show Cause Notice may face potential suspension or cancellation of their service. In this article, we outline the purpose of a Show Cause Notice, the different instances in which they apply, and how Meridian Lawyers can assist childcare providers to respond. The National Law The Children (Education and Care […]

Sep 13, 2022

INSIGHT: Regulation of Education and Care Providers: the Department of Communities in WA takes a stricter approach to compliance actions

Key takeaways The Education and Care Regulatory Unit of the Department of Communities (Department) is displaying a stricter approach in implementing compliance actions. Specifically, the Department is seeking penalties under both sections 165(1) and 167(1) of the Education and Care Services National Law (WA) Act 2012 (National Law) in compliance actions involving inadequate supervision and […]

Aug 26, 2022

INSIGHT: Online Reviews & Defamation

Meridian is increasingly receiving enquiries from both health practitioners and service providers seeking advice regarding negative reviews placed online by members of the public. Sometimes the reviews are thought to be unfair and unreasonable, and sometimes they cross over the line and are abusive and defamatory. With the ever increasing reliance on digital marketing and […]

Oct 7, 2021

INSIGHT: Medical Management Plans for children and your system of governance

Approved providers and nominated supervisors will be aware that as part of ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing of children, a medical conditions policy must be in place which complies with Regulation 90 of the Education and Care National Regulations (National Regulations). This means that the medical conditions policy must set out the practices of […]

Aug 20, 2020

INSIGHT: Safe Sleep and Rest Policies

Education and care providers will be aware that they are under a duty to adequately supervise children both when they are awake, and when they are asleep. Providers are also under duty to take every reasonable precaution to protect children from harm and hazard, and to ensure that their policies are being followed. The content […]

Sep 4, 2019

INSIGHT: Family Day Care – Compliance and Policies and Procedures

Approved providers of family day care services will be aware that their State Regulatory Authority is responsible for regulating early childhood education and care services and for enforcing compliance with the Education and Care Services National Law (National Law) and the Education and Care Services National Regulations (National Regulations) applicable in each State. It is […]

Feb 25, 2019

INSIGHT: A reminder: Child Care providers in Victoria, now subject to the Victorian Reportable Conduct Scheme

The new laws which applied from 1 January 2019, regulate the way in which employers in the child care industry identify, investigate and respond to all child safety allegations. The laws apply to all Victorian approved child care providers under the Education and Care Services National Law Act 2010 (Vic) and any children’s service under […]

Aug 28, 2018

INSIGHT: Child Care Subsidy Law– An introduction to the new Minister’s Rules and Secretary’s Rules 2017

2 July 2018 saw a huge change in the practical and legal governance of child care benefits across Australia with the introduction of the new Child Care Subsidy (CCS) and removal of Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate. CCS continues to be regulated by the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 and […]

Aug 6, 2018

INSIGHT: High stakes for organisational heads as Victoria introduces new requirements as part of reportable conduct scheme

In the wake of the “Betrayal of Trust Inquiry” the Victorian government is rolling out wide ranging new legislative amendments[1] in the form of the Reportable Conduct Scheme (the Scheme).  These changes aim to strengthen organisational responses to child abuse allegations, and ensure systems are in place to prevent child abuse. Changes include strict reporting and […]

Jun 4, 2017

INSIGHT: How long must you retain child care records in Victoria?

Are you aware that there are stringent requirements to retain child care records and also to implement supporting policies? The regulations relating to the retention of child care records are reflected in the Education and Care Services National Regulations Regulation 177 and 183, which are adopted in Victoria under the Education and Care Services National […]

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