You have to wonder if positive, democratic discourse is encouraged in the Northern Territory when it comes to child care- this vital area in a state of apparent upheaval. Take the case of an Area Coordinator of the Darwin Family Day Care ,Territory Children Group, who requested in an email "we would really like some feed back ( sic ) " in respect of a discussion paper entitled , Support Educator with [the] Out of Home Care. Responding to that direct request for input, a Carer/ Educator in the Territory Child Care Group (TCCG) since 2007, after discussion with others in the field , produced what reads as a thoughtful, well balanced document and sent it to the Office of Children and Families , and others .
During her involvement with TCCG , the Carer Educator wrote, she had had various children requiring 24 hour care , seven days a week, who are the ultimate responsibility of the NT Department of Children and Families . At the time of writing the response, there were two children in her care under the 24/7 arrangement. She pointed out that the proposed TCCG changes would require all co-carers to undertake additional training under the National Quality Framework . In the case of her co-carers, well known and respected members of the Darwin community , they held First Aid certificates , Ochre cards and attended educational sessions as and when relevant for the children’s ages and needs.
Under the new set up , they would have to undertake additional training as part of the National Quality Framework. Co-carers who volunteered the use of their abilities, time and domestic environment were now expected to have all the qualifications of a carer in a child care centre, including Certificate 3 in Early Childhood, while supporting her for free . The Carer Educator requested that Darwin Family Day Care provide an exemption for co-carers of DCF in 24/7 care being required to attend additional training that is not specificially relevant to children in their care. A readily obtainable exemption from limiting co-carers providing care to 24/7 children to four hours - illustrated as unworkable- in her case, was also sought.
Other constructive points made included the observation that the new regulations and quality assurance system was about mainstream child care, with an emphasis on family engagement and sharing of information which was out of context with caring for children 24/7 in lieu of family responsibility.
On October 12, Ms Heather Havens , Director Territory Childcare Group, responded : "Darwin Family Day care is an approved Education and care Service operating under the National Quality Framework which is administered locally by Quality Education and Care Northern Territory and federally by the Australian Children’s Education Care Services Quality Authority . Being an approved service we are required to comply with the standards and regulations set out by the legislation. Referring to your emailed dated the 3rd October addressed to the Office of Children and Families and copied to your Darwin Family Day Care Coordinator, it is clear that you are unable to sustain your commitment to being a registered Family Day Care Educator.
There is a clear demarcation between providing care for children as a Registered Foster Carer under the Care and Protection of Children Act and providing education and care for children as a Registered Family Day Care Educator under the Education and Care Services National Law Act. Due to your consistent failure to recognise your role as a Family Day Care Educator under the correct legislation (Education and Care Services National Law Act) I wish to inform you that your registration as a Family Day Care Educator with Darwin Family Day Care (Territory Child Care Group Inc. ) will be terminated as of 5.30pm on 9th of November 2012".Strangely , it ended Kindest Regards.
As a result of this abrupt termination letter, the Carer/Educator requested a list of all the so-called occasions that she had failed to recognise in her role as a Family Day Educator and what actions TCCG had taken on each occasion. “I am very disappointed that you have taken my letter as evidence that I am unable to sustain my commitment to being a Registered Family Day Care Educator ,” She went on: "My letter was aimed at attempting to practically apply the regulations under the legislation , without adversely affecting any of the children in my care . All of the training I have received has emphasised the welfare of the children in my care , and I am confused why you did not refer to the effect on the children in care. " It appeared that , in conjunction with past incidents, to be bullying in response to her asking questions or finding out alternative advice to that which the TCCG is implementing . The Carer/Educator said TCCG had threatened fines or possible litigation if the regulations were not adhered to.
This is clearly a matter which requires prompt intervention by the new NT Government as the issue not only raises serious questions about the treatment of the Carer/Educator but the added requirements on co-carers and the impact on children in 24/7 care.
A quick Google search shows the legislation was never intended to cover children in 24/7 care. National Education and Care Services Legislation ( from SA Government website)
In December 2009, the Council of Australian Governments (COAG) agreed to a new National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care and outside school hours care. The aim of the new Framework was to deliver better quality services and promote good educational and social outcomes for children attending long day care, family day care, outside school hours care and preschool. The new national approach replaced the licensing and accreditation processes previously undertaken by the Commonwealth, States and Territories.
There has been no response from Ms Heather Havens, Director of Territory Childcare Group Inc., to the letter sent 24 days ago, from the Carer/Educator seeking detailed reasons that led to the decision to cancel her registration which takes effect tomorrow.
