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Kate is passionate about contributing to public debate on a wide range of important issues. Here are some of the issues she has touched on in the past.
- Should successful athletes have to pay back the AIS 10 Jun 2009
- Let's give youth voice now for a better future 12 Oct 2008
- Organ donation it's the greatest gift of all 21 Sep 2008
- Is safe sex message falling on deaf ears 31 Aug 2008
- Grassroots funding is key to Olympic glorys 10 Aug 2008
- Easy to overlook big issue of homelessness 20 Jul 2008
- Trailblazer Natasha leaves lasting legacy 29 Jun 2008
- Heavy hitters boost our World Cup hopes 01 Jun 2008
- Youth Forum Discussion Paper 17 May 2008
- We can't take sport for granted 11 May 2008
- Women truly can do anything be anything 20 Apr 2008
- Let the Games begin with all our athletes 30 Mar 2008
- Proud past but future a challenge for women 09 Mar 2008
- Young people will be heard at highest level 17 Feb 2008
- Our nation has changed dramatically in three weeks 16 Dec 2007
- Mobile Phone Towers 23 Sep 2007
- Bradken Foundry 01 Jul 2007
- Full Fees 03 Jun 2007
- Eating Disorders 17 Dec 2006
- Iraq 27 Jul 2006
- Electoral Laws 26 Jun 2006
- Dental 08 Jan 2006
- Make Poverty History 18 Sep 2005
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
Media Releases
2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 200821 Feb 2013 - More Support for Children with a Disability to Access Child Care
THE HON KATE ELLIS MP
Minister for Employment Participation
Minister for Early Childhood and Child Care
MEDIA RELEASE
21 February 2013
MORE SUPPORT FOR CHILDREN WITH A DISABILITY TO ACCESS CHILD CARE
The Australian Government is providing more support for children with a disability to access child care to ensure they receive crucial education and development opportunities in the early years.
Minister for Early Childhood and Child Care Kate Ellis visited staff at the Lady Gowrie Child Centre in Thebarton to announce the Australian Government is investing an additional $20 million into child care for children with special needs.
"We know the first five years of a child's life are crucial to their development, and we want to support families of children with a disability to have access to the important education and development opportunities that child care brings," Minister Ellis said.
"We are investing a record $23 billion to early childhood care and education to give children the best possible start to life."
Minister Ellis said there has been a 38% increase in the number of children the Australian Government is supporting to access child care through the Inclusion Support Subsidy this year.
"For children with a disability, intervention in the early years and access to quality child care can make huge difference, and I'm really proud to deliver this funding which I know will make a difference to the lives of these families," Minister Ellis said.
"We know that 90 per cent of a child's brain development happens in the first five years - that's why we've introduced new higher standards for child care services to help them develop during a crucial time in their lives.
"We introduced the National Quality Framework because we believe every parent deserves peace of mind when they drop their child off to child care, they are receiving quality care to a high standard.
"We are backing the NQF with a record $23.1 billion investment in early childhood education and care - more than triple that of the former Coalition Government in its last four years in office."
The NQF requires all providers to improve services and provide families with better information. It includes:
" Improved educator to child ratios, so that each child gets the individual care and attention that they need
" Higher educator qualifications to equip staff to provide the kind of activities that help children learn and develop
" More information for parents through a transparent ratings system