Resources for ECEC decision makers on COVID-19 responses

With developments and changes happening daily as the Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector seeks to respond to, and manage, outcomes from the COVID-19 pandemic, The Sector will collect resources, web links and other important pieces of information, collating them to support the sharing of accurate, timely information. 

 

Recognising that we are all working together to take the right steps to share information at this critical time, the resource list will be divided into four categories – resources to share with parents and educators, federal updates, information from states and territories, and general information, support and ideas – this list will be regularly updated to support one another. 

 

Resources to share with parents and educators

 

Parents 

 

Harvard Center on the Developing Child – How to support children (and yourself) during the COVID 19 outbreak

Ethnolink –  COVID 19 translated resources (resources to support educators and families to understand COVID 19 in 50 community languages)

Lifeline Australia – Mental Health and Wellbeing during the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak

UNICEF – COVID-19 Parenting Tips

Australian Childhood Foundation – Staying connected with our children

 

Harvard Graduate School of Education – Caring for preschoolers at home

Australian Childhood Foundation – Many Ways to Share a Hug 

Australian Catholic University – Shared parenting in the time of COVID 19

Tweddle – Play, reassurance and mindfulness during isolation

UNICEF Australia – How to talk to children about coronavirus 

 

Educators 

 

Healthy Eating Advisory Service – Promoting healthy eating during coronavirus

World Health Organisation – Helping children cope with stress during the 2019-nCoV outbreak

Department of Health – COVID 19 Infection Control Training (free to complete. New users will need to create an account and register)

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists – Advice and information relating to pregnancy and COVID 19 

Australian Academy of Science – The effects of COVID 19 on children 

 

Early Learning Nation – A parents guide to surviving COVID 19

NSW Department of Education – Prevent the spread of COVID-19: A guide for early childhood education and care services

Manuela Moina – Children’s book –  “Hello! I am the Coronavirus” (free, in community languages) 

FairWork Australia – Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws

United Workers Union– ECEC JobKeeper Standards

 

Beyond Blue – Looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak 

Emerging Minds – Supporting children during the COVID 19 outbreak 

The Sector – Calm not chaos – UniSA issues advice for educators and parents

Safe Work Australia – Information on COVID 19 and Work Health and Safety

QUT’ Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies  – Dial down COVID 19 anxiety and dial up positivity

Federal updates

 

The Sector –  Unpacking the new ECEC relief package – what does it mean for your service? 

Australian Government Department of Health – Coronavirus (COVID-19) Health Alert

Scott Morrison – Coronavirus measures endorsed by National Cabinet 

Dan Tehan – Minimising the impact of COVID-19 on childcare centres 

 

ATO – COVID-19 information 

Australian Government Department of Health – Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for schools and early childhood centres, students and parents (fact sheet) 

Health Direct – FAQs about childcare and school exclusions 

 

Information from States and Territories 

 

ACT – Public Health Alert updated information about COVID-19 and Health advice for schools and childcare centres 

NSW – COVID-19 statistics and updates and resources for businesses

Queensland – Health alert COVID-19 and COVID-19 Cleaning and Disinfection recommendations

South Australia – Latest Updates 

Western Australia – Latest update including daily PDF snapshot

 

Northern Territory – NT Coronavirus update

Victoria – Coronavirus COVID-19 updates

 

General information, support and ideas 

 

Business.gov.au – Coronavirus information and support for business

The Sector – ECEC needs urgent and tough COVID 19 rules Union says, releasing plan 

World Health Organisation – Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) advice for the public and Getting workplace ready 

Australian Department of Health – COVID-19 printable posters 

World Health Organisation – Q&A on COVID-19 disease

Australian Childcare Alliance – Update on the coronavirus as it applies to childcare services 

WorkCover WA – Workers Compensation and coronavirus 

Monash City Council – Self assessment tool for risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) 

 

If a service, either voluntarily, or as advised by its local Public Health unit, is closed due to COVID 19, approved providers are reminded that any incident that requires the Approved Provider to close or reduce the number of children attending a service for a period requires notification to the relevant State or Territory Regulatory Authority within 24 hours.

 

If a child or staff member at your service is diagnosed with COVID-19 you are required to report any risk or incident of infectious disease to:

 

• Regulatory Authority in your State or Territory
• Your local Public Health Unit – for contact details, see here

 

A confirmed case of COVID-19 is a serious incident and as such requires notification as soon as practicable within 24 hours.