Childcare News

The latest childcare news, stories and developments.

How do children learn good manners?

Pexels/Anna Shvets Sophia Waters, University of New England Ensuring kids have manners is a perennial preoccupation for parents and caregivers. How, then, do you teach good manners to children? Modelling good manners around the home and in your own interaction with...

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No, sugar doesn’t make your kids hyperactive

Sharomka/Shutterstock Amy Reichelt, University of Adelaide It’s a Saturday afternoon at a kids’ birthday party. Hordes of children are swarming between the spread of birthday treats and party games. Half-eaten cupcakes, biscuits and lollies litter the floor, and the...

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‘A budget for mums and middle Australia’: Jim Chalmers

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra As it looks to an election next year when holding up Labor’s female vote will be vital, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has declared Tuesday will bring “a budget for mums and middle Australia”. “The primary focus of our economic plan is...

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Is it OK if my child eats lots of fruit but no vegetables?

Yasmine Probst, University of Wollongong; Olivia Wills, University of Wollongong, and Shoroog Allogmanny, University of Wollongong Does it seem like most vegetables you serve your children end up left on the plate, or worse, strewn across the floor? But mention...

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What are bush kinders? And what makes a good one?

Marcus Wallis/Unsplash, CC BY-SA Chris Speldewinde, The University of Melbourne In Australia we have a long history of taking children outdoors to learn about the natural environment. But thanks to computer games, tablets and busy lifestyles, children aren’t getting...

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Give the gift of presence and love during the holidays

Family traditions and being present provide children with trusted, safe, secure, loving experiences and relationships that are important for their healthy development and future self. (Shutterstock) Nikki Martyn, University of Guelph-Humber The holidays are a time for...

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How to Raise Successful Children

Good parenting plays a key role in determining the kind of person a child will become as an adult. In fact, studies conducted by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare show that quality parenting leads to a number of positive child outcomes, including improved...

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Picnic season is upon us!

With summer in full glory, who doesn't love picnic season? Nobody should be cooped up indoors when our country offers a wealth of enviable outdoor spaces to take in the fresh air. Find the perfect place to get amongst nature and appreciate what we - too caught up in...

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Boys that like barbie dolls and other great stories

Boys like trucks and diggers, right? And girls love wearing dresses and sparkly things.... isn't that so? So what happens if your little boy prefers wearing tutus and playing with Barbie? Or your daughter dresses herself in shorts and truckers caps, and can name all...

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The spirit of Christmas… teaching children about giving

I'm sure, as parents, you may have imagined what Christmas with your children might be like. Dreams of magic and selflessness and warm, caring moments... and sure, there are moments like this, but the harsh reality is that the world of today is a somewhat...

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Rough-and-tumble… the hidden benefits!

Play is an important way for children to learn about the world around them. Through play, they learn cultural norms, socialisation guidelines and experiment with different ways to interact with their environment. But play between a father and their child or children...

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Easy ways to be a better listener to your child

We’re all guilty of getting distracted when our kids want to talk to us, but experts say that offering our undivided attention is one of the most important things we can do as parents. Here’s how to shift your mindset so that you can truly tune in. We are, it seems,...

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Does your toddler need a sleep routine?

Some children fall asleep easily, barely able to keep their eyes open by the time bedtime arrives, making their lucky parents’ evening routines a dream. On the other hand, parents raising night-owls often find putting their child to bed one of the most frustrating...

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Sun protection for our littles

It's only mid-September, yet today, just two weeks into spring,  my children are swimming to get some relief from the heat. That's the red-hot reality of the Australian environment. Each year, summers are seemingly becoming hotter and lasting longer. We're not here...

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Early literacy skills in children

The English language is a complicated skill that must be learnt, can be difficult to master and generally takes years to perfect. Rhymes, songs and stories aren't just a bit of fun, they help young children develop essential pre-literacy skills, so all the ducks are...

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Holidays with children

For children, holidays are a break from their routine. It is a time to enjoy with friends and family, exploring interests and making memories. For families, holidays can equate to quality time with your loved ones. What memories are made of - whether you are heading...

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Investing in childcare, it’s a no-brainer

Childcare is a major expense for families and the government. With some families paying $200 a day for a single child, this great expense must be questioned. Is it worthwhile spending such a great amount of money on childcare? In short … yes! For many years it has...

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Coronavirus from an Australian perspective

What is the coronavirus The coronavirus is around every year, but usually doesn’t affect humans. The current strain of coronavirus is called 2019-nCoV, which is short for "2019 novel coronavirus." It is just the third strain of coronavirus to cause severe symptoms in...

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Kids and Sport

Sport is a major part of Australia’s culture. We have sporting events happening all year round, with Australian Rules Football and rugby taking place in the winter months, and basketball, soccer and plenty of cricket during spring and summer. With so much sport...

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It’s all about parents

As a parent, you are your children's’ single most important influence. The way you behave and raise your children will significantly impact their development. As they say, “the apple never falls far from the tree”. However, healthy parenting is no easy task. This...

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Books on raising toddlers

Being a parent to a toddler is an emotional roller coaster. One moment, they are loving, cuddly and happy to play. The next, they are crying over the wrong coloured juice cup or because they can’t get their own way. Despite their age, toddlers are complex little...

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Hand washing facts

Even the cleanest looking hands can harbour nasty bacteria and germs. They are not always indicative of good hygiene. A whopping 80% of infectious diseases are transferred by touch. Harmful germs such as bacteria and viruses that cause illness and infection are...

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Cyber Bullying Awareness

The internet has transformed modern life in so many positive ways. With the good, however, comes a dark side that is impacting young lives like never before. The rise of the internet has brought the emergence of cyberbullying. This form of bullying occurs not face to...

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How to prepare your baby for daycare

With over half of all Australian mothers active in the workforce, childcare providers have never been more popular. Returning to work is just one of the many reasons to enrol a baby or child into a childcare service. Whatever your reason, most parents will agree those...

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What is a Superbug

A superbug is the stuff of nightmares. Caused by harmful bacteria, viruses and fungi, a superbug is ‘a bug’ that is resistant to common antibiotics, spreads easily and causes catastrophic damage to the body. Superbugs are responsible for 700,00 deaths worldwide...

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Toddlers biting at daycare

No parent wants to hear their child has been bitten by one of their peers, or worse, has bitten another child. Biting is a common issue among children aged 1-3 years. It can manifest at home or at childcare. It is important for parents to understand that biting isn’t...

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Quality child care in Australia

Brand new doesn’t always mean the best.It may be tempting for parents to send their child to the shiny,new child care centre close to home, but how do you know if it is good quality?

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Best Age To Start Daycare/Preschool

At Vacancy.Care we understand that deciding what age your children should begin attending a child care service is an important decision that requires you to consider a multitude of factors

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Face-painting Fun

Kids just love to have their faces painted. It always seems like something which only happens at fetes, fairs and birthday parties.
Why not have some face painting fun at home.

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What is long day care?

Often called a childcare centre or simply day-care, long day care is centre-based childcare provided by professional staff where babies and children up to school-age can be cared for while their parents work, study or have time for their other commitments.

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What is family day care?

Family day care is childcare provided by individuals in their homes. Family day care is organised into local schemes that have a coordination unit to support a group of family day carers. Carers are recruited, trained and resourced by the coordination unit.

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Thinking of starting childcare? Here’s what you should know

Everything you need to know about starting day care.If you’re planning on placing your child into an early childhood education and care service, it’s a good idea to start thinking about what type and where would suit you best. Plan early as places are often limited.

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Illness at childcare

Children come in contact with lots of other children and people during care and it can result in them catching illnesses. They can range from the common cold to more serious communicable diseases.

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Overcoming first day nerves

Starting early childhood education and care can be an emotional experience for both you and your child. Children can often experience some difficulty settling into a new environment.

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Demand for childcare vacancies at an all-time high

Australians families are struggling to find adequate and flexible childcare as waiting lists become longer and permanent places more difficult to find. Vacancy.care is here to help you find the perfect child care solution for your needs.

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