Reminder: update marketing materials ahead of Startingblocks change

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) providers have been reminded to update their communication products and marketing materials to replace old phone numbers like the My Child Hotline and Child Care Access Hotline with links to StartingBlocks.gov.au ahead of a move to the Startingblocks website on 7 March 2022. 

The Sector has previously shared news that effective early March, service fees, quality ratings, vacancies and inclusions will be displayed on StartingBlocks.gov.au making it the one national government website for families to find children’s education and care services, providing trusted information for free.

The way in which services report fees and information as required by Family Assistance Law will not change and providers must still report through the Provider Entry Point (PEP) or the relevant third-party software.

When reporting fees, providers must report:

• current hourly or session fees before Child Care Subsidy, discounts or reductions. If the service has a range of fees (for example, per educator or age group), services can report a typical or average fee.
• any changes to fees (within 14 days of the change).

For assistance see the task card on reporting fees in the PEP or contact the relevant third-party software provider.

New features are now available on the Startingblocks website, including the new Child Care Subsidy estimator. Read more about the changes on the DESE website.