In light of the recent bushfire emergencies across many regions of Australia, including South Australia, the Australian Childcare Alliance has collated some useful information for both early learning service providers and their families.
Support for Educators and Families
Families affected by the current bushfires may be eligible to receive additional support with the cost of child care through the Additional Child Care Subsidy (temporary financial hardship). Families must apply directly to Centrelink and can be directed to this webpage for further information.
There are also a range of resources available from various sources to support educators and families to work through worries and concerns about the fires with the children in their care.
These include:
- A range of resources developed by the Red Cross to support children before, during and after a natural disaster, for both parents and educators available here.
- Maggie Dent video – HOW PARENTS CAN HELP KIDS FEEL SAFE DURING BUSHFIRES
Maggie Dent speaks directly to parents about how they can talk with their kids to reduce anxiety when bushfires occur. - 5 steps to help children cope through bushfires – a recent article in The Conversation available here.
- A guide on talking to children about bushfires, produced by Victoria’s Better Health Channel, available here.
- A guide to support parents in speaking with their children about the fires developed by Talking Matters, available here.
- A story about bushfires for children developed by the Queensland Government in many community languages, including English, Arabic, Burmese, Mandarin and Samoan, available here. It tells the story of Birdie, a small bird who is forced to flee when a bushfire sweeps through her neighbourhood. With colourful illustrations and a compassionate but truthful explanation of living through fire, it is part of a series of books written with the support of mental health experts to support children to cope with natural disasters and other big life events.
If your family has been directly impacted by the recent bushfires or you would like some additional support in educating and supporting your child(ren) about bushfires and other emergencies, please contact your Centre Director who will be happy to assist.