Australian childcare operators fear they will have to close without a government lifeline

Childcare operators fear they will have to shut their doors and lay off staff without an urgent lifeline from the Australian government, as worried parents increasingly pull their children out of services.

The next national cabinet meeting on Friday is due to discuss the early childhood sector, but operators say the need is immediate and they have already had to retrench educators or reduce hours because of the steep decline in children’s attendance amid the coronavirus crisis.

Read more: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/apr/02/australian-childcare-operators-fear-they-will-have-to-close-without-a-government-lifeline