All posts by Chris Steel

Chris Steel BA, LLB (ANU) is Policy and Research Manager at Early Childhood Australia. Before coming to ECA, Chris worked as a policy adviser on early childhood and youth to the Australian Government and ACT Government covering the implementation of the National Quality Agenda and Government Child Care Assistance. Chris is currently a Director on the Board of YMCA Canberra.

Seven tips on flexible hours you may not know

Posted on August 25, 2014 by Chris Steel

When opening hours and the needs of families align, this can support parents’ workforce participation and support children’s best interests. Only 0.8% of long day care centres open after 6:30pm according to ECA’s Long Day Care Flexibility Survey Report. Yet, most approved early childhood services actually have considerable discretion to open earlier or close later. According to […]

Flexibility – What do parents want?

Posted on August 21, 2014 by Chris Steel

When a parent enrols their child in early childhood education and care for the first time orientation interviews are often conducted. These may include information about the parents work hours, and preferred pick up and drop of times, as well as other enrollment information. Ideally the flow of information continues beyond that first day. Regular […]