COVID-19 information for the ECEC sector

In the wake of the recent COVID-19 cases reported in various states over the last few weeks, the Federal Department of Education, Skills & Employment (DESE) is reminding Early Childhood Education & Care (ECEC) services to stay informed about the COVID situation in their local area through official government websites.

A recent email from the Department to all approved providers stated that “It is incumbent on childcare services to stay up to date on how the constantly changing circumstances may affect your area and operations, and to plan in case of a local emergency even if one does not seem imminent.”

DESE is encouraging early learning services to refer to the DESE COVID-19 webpage  to remain up to date on the support available, in relation to any hotspots of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department has also strongly encouraged ECEC services to refer to the official state-based websites to remain up to date with developments in local areas:

• NSW Health 
• Victorian Department of Health and Human Services
• Queensland Health Alerts
• South Australia COVID Updates
• WA COVID Updates
• NT COVID Updates
• Tasmania COVID Updates
• ACT COVID Updates

ECEC services need to be aware of how COVID restrictions may affect who can attend their service, including families, educators, staff and visitors.
 
The COVID-19 restriction checker is a handy national tool.
 
The Department's Help in an emergency webpage outlines what constitutes a local emergency and the support given by the Australian Government.

You can subscribe to email updates for the ECEC sector from DESE here.