Early childhood
Opinion
Education
Nothing phoney about phonics - just ask my son
We were out cycling when suddenly my son slammed on the brakes. After I almost crashed into him, I asked what was wrong: “Mummy, it says STOP in big letters, right across the bike path.”
- by Tara Murphy
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Schools
Best-paid Victorian kinder teachers to earn more than school teachers
Victoria's 7000 kindergarten workers will receive pay rises of up to 30 per cent in a new deal the Andrews government hopes will attract more early childhood teachers.
- by Michael Fowler
'Mystifying': Maggie Dent ups ante on WA school starting age as principals overrule parents
Parenting guru Maggie Dent has called on WA Premier Mark McGowan to step in and fix what she calls the most inflexible education system in the country on school starting ages.
- by Daile Cross
Opinion
Coronavirus pandemic
Budget cannot rely on construction alone to boost economy
Speculation points to a big focus in the budget on "shovel-ready" construction projects. But this will not deliver maximum jobs and it will exacerbate gender inequality.
- by Elizabeth Hill
One in five young children living in poverty in Australia: Curtin University
Rates in Queensland and Western Australia have worsened despite the mining boom depositing billions of dollars into government coffers over the past decade.
- by Jennifer Duke
Social cohesion, happiness: parents see value in introducing young kids to the arts
New research from the Australia Council for the Arts shows an increased regard for the arts and culture among Australians.
- by Linda Morris
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Coronavirus pandemic
Thousands of families could withdraw from childcare if fees reimposed
Two of Australia's largest childcare providers warn the reintroduction of fees will spell trouble for families whose incomes have been cut during the COVID-19 crisis.
- by Fergus Hunter
Top five board books for babies, as selected by bookseller David Gaunt
On the lookout for some new books to read to your little ones? These five titles will thrill children and adults alike.
- by Jenna Price
What Meghan and Harry know about storybook time – and you should too
Some critics described the whole reading-to-Archie event as phony and attention-seeking.
- by Jenna Price
Exclusive
Childcare
Uniting to stand down childcare staff while it awaits funding injection
Uniting, which operates 56 centres in NSW and the ACT, will stand down 45 staff as it loses $1 million each month under the government's free childcare scheme.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos
Children turned away from childcare under new free scheme
As parents start returning their kids to childcare amid a fall in coronavirus cases, some providers have said reduced income means they cannot accept children back.
- by Natassia Chrysanthos