The Parenthood in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia | Non-profit organisation

The Parenthood

Locality: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Address: 673 Bourke Street 3000 Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Website: www.theparenthood.org.au/join

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25.01.2022 Dear friends, Before we wind down for the year we are still busy and our Executive Director, Georgie Dent, wanted to give you an update on a few events and campaigns in our November newsletter: http://www.theparenthood.org.au/newsletter_november_2020 I am thrilled to invite you to our third and last event in The Parenthood series with Business Chicks and Thrive by Five: discussing the still vexed return to work after a baby. Amy Thunig, Emma Walsh and Mariam Veiszadeh... know first-hand how tricky this transition remains for too many parents as they have lived it. But they also know it can be better and are united in their desire to change things. The event is free and you can find all the details below. I'm probably not on the Prime Minister's Christmas card list but he's on mine! I joined thousands of others in writing to Scott Morrison to ask him to #RaiseTheRateForGood. It's the Christmas gift millions of Australian would benefit from. And speaking of benefits Australians need I was troubled to discover that single parents in Australia are increasingly unable to afford early learning and care, as shown in the latest Household, Income and Labor Dynamics in Australia data. In other news, our friends at AIFS are running a Families in Australia Survey. There is more below on each of these stories. Enjoy your week. Georgie Dent Executive Director http://www.theparenthood.org.au/newsletter_november_2020

23.01.2022 The importance of the early learning process has been ignored by too many politicians for too long. It is time to act! "Australian students are almost twice as likely to start school without kindergarten or preschool than the OECD average, raising concerns about the effect on academic performance in later years. The world’s largest study of 15-year-old students found 11.5 per cent of Australian students did not attend pre-primary school or attended for less than a year, compa...red with the OECD average of 6.2 per cent." Read the full article here: https://www.smh.com.au//australian-children-more-likely-to"

22.01.2022 New factsheet out now Australia lags developed countries in the provision of evidenced-based progressive policies that support parents and children. It is critical to build awareness among parents that there are alternatives to ungenerous parental leave schemes, unaffordable ECEC and workplaces wedded to traditional gender roles and employees without responsibilities outside work. This pandemic has potentially created an accelerated path towards reform. If we seize this momen...t to capture the attention of Australians around the importance of these policies and the existence of viable alternatives, change is possible and parents and children will thrive. Find out more in our new factsheet: http://www.theparenthood.org.au/parenting_in_australia_in_2

22.01.2022 Have you already booked your spot??? WHY AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION IS A SILVER BULLET FOR WOMEN On Monday 12th October at 12.30pm The Parenthood is partnering with Women's Agenda to host a free event with Sam Mostyn, Lisa Annese and Tarla Lambert to explore why radically reforming early education and care is so important for Australian women. ... Find all the details here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/why-affordable-high-quality

21.01.2022 Has the pandemic created the ideal conditions for a parent’s revolution? asks Kristine Ziwica in her excellent article for Womens Agenda. "The most obvious issue of concern to parents now more top of mind than ever due to the pandemic is the cost and availability of childcare. Often issues are bubbling underneath the surface and it takes events to reveal them, says Jay Weatherill, the former Premier of South Australia who was recently appointed the CEO of Thrive by F...ive, an initiative launched by the Minderoo Foundation earlier this year aimed at ensuring all Australian children have the best start to life by investing in, and advocating for, effective early childhood development outcomes. The pandemic has put early childhood on the agenda COVID has caused us to reflect on the development of our children and the domestic sphere has become very front of mind. Read the full article here: https://womensagenda.com.au//has-the-pandemic-created-the/

21.01.2022 "Australia has sleepwalked into a society where profit trumps quality care" We could not agree more with Emma Dawson's article in The Guardian. "The for-profit model of early childhood education and care has proved to be unstable and inefficient: childcare was the first sector to find itself on the brink of collapse due to Covid-19. The government’s short-term intervention has kept centres open, but it was aimed at propping up a business model that has been teetering for ye...ars and serves no one well save the owners of large-scale, for-profit providers. Parents struggle to keep up with ever-rising fees, while workers scrape by on the minimum wage, with little job security." https://www.theguardian.com//australia-has-sleepwalked-int

20.01.2022 "Early childhood education in Australia should be redesigned as a universally accessible and publicly-funded system, focused on improved literacy and numeracy and teaching children to learn, a new report says. Research by consulting firm PwC and the Labor-aligned Chifley Research Centre says COVID-19 has shown up serious vulnerabilities in the sector, which remains critical to the nation's social and economic infrastructure." A really interesting article in the Financial Review today: https://www.afr.com//why-early-childhood-education-service

19.01.2022 We are excited to present you our newsletter with an update on our latest activities. We hope you will enjoy it and please feel free to send it another parent who might be interested in our work. Dear friends, Wow it’s been a strange year hasn’t it? I don’t think many of us will forget 2020. I wanted to give you an update on our recent activities as there’s been quite a bit happening. ... Continue reading: http://www.theparenthood.org.au/october_newsletter

18.01.2022 Early childhood education and care will reopen to all Melbourne families this week, as the Australian government’s latest support package comes into effect. Whether families actually save anything at all depends on where they live and what provider they use, writes Kate Noble, from Victoria University in this article published in Women's Agenda. https://womensagenda.com.au//not-much-relief-for-parents-/

17.01.2022 Thrive by Five is calling for more childcare funding in the budget. Investing in families and children is an investment in Australia’s future! https://www.canberratimes.com.au//pre-budget-push-for-mor/

17.01.2022 The campaign to Raise the Rate for Good is key to reducing poverty and inequality in Australia. The goal of the campaign is to fix the social security safety net for good so that it keeps people out of poverty, with an income of $500 per week. The Parenthood is proud to be part of this campaign and you too can show your support and join Raise the Rate for Good. Join the campaign and send a virtual holiday card with a personal message to Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Treasur...er Josh Frydenberg or Minister for Families and Social Services Anne Ruston, telling them why we need a permanent and adequate increase to income support. 2020 has been a hard year, but it’s not over yet. We’ve never been closer to turning the tide. Now is the time to flood our political leaders’ offices with holiday cards telling them that this matters, and win some good news to see in a new year. Sign our virtual card here! In crises such as this one, it is critical that we act with compassion. Now is the time to show solidarity. https://raisetherate.org.au/holiday-message-2020/

17.01.2022 One of our most popular posts from last year was about a cheeky toddler locking his dad's ipad for ... 49 years! Enjoy the weekend and have fun with your kids https://is.gd/rHkACW

16.01.2022 There is almost nothing better than watching a good movie with the whole family on a Sunday afternoon. We collected a few photos of our most beloved movie characters. What's your favourite family movie?

16.01.2022 Webinar - Jay Weatherill: The challenges of early years reform Until we acknowledge the importance of the early years to lifelong learning, health, and emotional outcomes, reform will continue to be hidden behind a fog of confused responsibilities, incoherent government arrangements, and disconnected from the realities of family life. Services, particularly in relation to early learning, will continue to be unaffordable, inaccessible, and of variable quality. This year, howev...er, it is clear that a campaign is building in which many voices deliver one message: the need for change is real, immediate, irrefutable. Join Jay to hear about the Thrive By Five Campaign working to ensure every child, and every family, can access quality, affordable early education and care, and how you can get involved. Summary Title: Webinar - Jay Weatherill: The challenges of early years reform Date: Tuesday, 13 October 2020 Time: 12.00pm-1.00pm AEDT Price: Free of charge Register: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/280859660013820685 https://www.aracy.org.au//the-challenges-of-early-years-re

15.01.2022 Parental Burnout was a thing long before the Pandemic hit, but it’s now one serious problem. Freelance write Kristine Ziwica has just published an extensive investigation into the issue for Women’s Agenda, examining how it’s a distinct psychological phenomenon and why it’s something we all need to be aware of and thinking about, long after life returns to some kind of normal. In the latest edition of the Women's Agenda podcast, Kristine Ziwica speaks about her research and th...e undeniable fact that Pandemic Parental Burnout is spreading. https://womensagenda.com.au//parental-burnout-lower-the-b/

15.01.2022 It’s time to Thrive by Five an educator forum. Early educators have significant insight into the challenges and failures of the current system of early education and have long been at the forefront of advocating for change. On October 1, we’re coming together to share our lived experience, explore the Thrive by Five campaign and plan how educators can contribute their ideas, skills and passion to build the momentum for change. A forum led by educators for educators.... Register now for this free event. Hope to see you there! https://thrivebyfive.org.au/actions/uwuforum/ Speakers joining us will be: Lisa Bryant, early childhood education activist and consultant Jay Weatherill, CEO of Thrive by Five Michele O’Neil, President of the ACTU

14.01.2022 Another reason why we need universal access to high-quality ECEC. Until Australian families are supported to combine their family responsibilities with their paid work, this won't change. "Australia is facing a deficit of 280,000 babies by 2024 due to the recession and unrealistic pre-coronavirus forecasts of a birth surge that threatens to leave a permanent hole in the federal budget. In a fresh challenge for Treasurer Josh Frydenberg ahead of the October 6 budget, which is ...expected to show a deficit in excess of $200 billion, new analysis of Australia's fertility rate suggests the nation could welcome 56,000 fewer babies a year." https://www.smh.com.au//baby-slump-australian-newborn-defi

13.01.2022 HAPPY FUN-DAY EVERYONE!!

12.01.2022 There are so many amazing and dedicated educators and carers out there and we can't thank them enough for their incredible work - THANK YOU!!! The HESTA Early Childhood Education & Care Awards recognise the front-line educators and carers at the very heart of Australia's early childhood education system. Today is the last day to nominate, as nominations close at midnight today! Submit your nomination here:... https://www.hesta.com.au/aw/childhood-education-awards.html

12.01.2022 Our Executive Director Georgie Dent was on Sky News last night to speak about the numerous benefits of high-quality early childhood education. "Investing in universal access to high-quality early childhood education is the infrastructure project that will deliver prosperity for Australia in a way no other project can. Watch the full clip here: https://is.gd/p47y2q

11.01.2022 Suicide, unhappiness, obesity and poor social and academic skills have become far-too-common features of childhood in high-income countries, according to the latest Report Card issued by @UNICEF https://www.unicef.org//worlds-richest-countries-grappling

09.01.2022 The Government of South Australia has confirmed it is seeking to transfer the management of its family day care and respite care services to a private operator. WE NEED POLICIES THAT PUT THE NEEDS OF CHILDREN FIRST! Read the article on South Australia's plan to to privatise Family day care and respite care in the Herald Sun: https://is.gd/S1NI2U

08.01.2022 Today children can go back to early education and care in Melbourne. How wonderful that must be for all the children who have spent the last 10 weeks at home.

08.01.2022 WHY AFFORDABLE, HIGH-QUALITY EARLY EDUCATION IS A SILVER BULLET FOR WOMEN On Monday 12th October at 12.30pm The Parenthood is partnering with Women's Agenda to host a free event with Sam Mostyn, Lisa Annese and Tarla Lambert to explore why radically reforming early education and care is so important for Australian women. Find all the details here: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/why-affordable-high-quality

07.01.2022 This is Bobbie. Bobbie shows us all the emotions, thoughts and responses that happen in a child’s brain when a baby experiences meaningful moments. Bobbie is the star of the Bright Tomorrows app. Download the app and receive access to over 1,000 meaningful moments and tips to help build young brains (it's FREE). Download the Bright Tomorrows app here www.thrivebyfive.org.au/ideas/

06.01.2022 The Parenthood has welcomed announcements this week that both NSW and Victoria will invest in free preschool and urged other states to match the commitment. Ahead of the NSW State Budget, the NSW Government has extended up to 15 hours of free preschool for three-to five-year-olds at community preschools for another year. In Victoria, the State government outlined plans on Tuesday for free kindergarten from next year. Both schemes have been estimated by state governments to sa...ve families about $2,000 per child. The Parenthood Executive Director Georgie Dent said, The recent announcements of free preschool in NSW and Victoria are fantastic as they recognise the critical importance of early education for children as well as the financial burden on families. This is exactly the kind of bold leadership Australia needs right now." Read full press release here: http://www.theparenthood.org.au/parenthood_welcomes_nsw_and

05.01.2022 "Every baby is born with more than 100 billion nerve cells. More than one million new neural connections are formed every second. This is why striving to give children the best possible start in life matters." Read Georgie Dent's blog http://theparenthood.org.au/the_first_years_last_forever

04.01.2022 BIG THANK YOU to our incredible board members Jo Briskey Nicola Hazell Megan O'Connell Owen Wareham... It was a great meeting last night. Your dedication and commitment make us shine! http://theparenthood.org.au/board_members See more

02.01.2022 As NAIDOC week 2020 comes to an end we're reflecting on many of the remarks Emily Carter made at our event with Business Chicks on Thursday. http://www.theparenthood.org.au/event_series_november Emily reflected on the Baya Gawiy Early Childhood Learning Unit which provides Fitzroy Valley families a safe, trauma informed environment for their children. She discussed the power of providing culturally appropriate learning and care to children in their early years as a means of c...losing the gap on health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children. Find out more about her work on the website of the Baya Gawiy Early Childhood Learning Unit: https://mwrc.com.au//baya-gawiy-early-childhood-learning-u On Monday SNAICC will deliver the 2020 Family Matters report and we'll be tuning in.

02.01.2022 Thrive by Five is campaigning to make our early learning childcare system high quality and universally accessible - to every child. Countless studies show that the first five early years of a child’s life are absolutely critical in the development of children’s cognitive, social and learning skills. Investing in high quality, play-based learning during the early years has a long-lasting and positive impact on both the child and the community. The campaign is supported by a b...road cross-section of the Australian community. We all agree that Australia's early learning system needs reform. Join the #thrivebyfive campaign - sign our open letter to the Federal Government! https://thrivebyfive.org.au/actions/open-letter/

02.01.2022 TODAY at 12 PM. Book your free ticket here: https://businesschicks.com/parenthood-series-1/ It’s a familiar story (it might even be yours) a woman has a baby, takes some time off and returns to work part-time she wanted to go back full time, but financially with the cost of early learning and care, it just doesn’t make sense. She then has her second baby and soon realises that the cost of care for two means returning to work at all, as the secondary earner in her family,... might not be the best financial decision. For too long, Australian working women have literally carried the cost of early education and their careers and the economy have suffered because of it. In The Parenthood Series we want to talk about all of this we’ve brought together some of the cleverest people we know to talk all things working and parenthood and how an overhaul of the early education system could be the most significant educational, social and economic reform of our era. Could it be the silver bullet we need to achieve gender equality in the workforce? https://businesschicks.com/parenthood-series-1/

01.01.2022 That's the way to go! "Victoria’s most senior early childhood teachers will earn more than school teachers under a new pay deal agreed between the state government and education union on Thursday. Salary increases of up to 31 per cent for kindergarten teachers and 27 per cent for educators and activity group leaders will for the first time ensure parity between Victoria’s 7000 kindergarten workers and 46,500 public school teachers at every pay level."... Read the full article here: https://www.theage.com.au//best-paid-victorian-kinder-teac