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Anglicans to look after MPs' kids
March 12, 2008
CHILD FRIENDLY: IN another sign of the 'new broom' in federal parliamemt. a child care centre for MPs will open next year to be fun by Anglicare
March 12, 2008
CHILD FRIENDLY: IN another sign of the 'new broom' in federal parliamemt. a child care centre for MPs will open next year to be fun by Anglicare
An Anglican agency will be looking after the progeny of Australia's national leaders.
Anglicare Canberra and Goulburn won the competitive tender to open the first child care service in Australia's Parliament House.
"It is a tremendous opportunity for our agency," Chief Executive Officer, Keith Waters, said.
"Anglicare is looking forward to working with children and their families at Capital Hill."
After years of running a campaign in opposition to open a child care service, the new Labor government has approved plans for a small child-care centre in the federal parliament.
The centre will be able to deal with up to 22 children and is expected to open next year.
The significant number of new MPs in the parliament and the growing demand for elected officials to be able to bring their children with them to Canberra while the parliament is sitting will raise new challenges for the church agency.
"We will be a part of a new chapter in Australian politics where parents who want to pursue a career in federal politics can have professional child care at their place of work," Keith Waters said.
The demanding working hours of the parliamentarians during sitting weeks will lead to a broad range of child care options.
The Anglicare centre will deliver a program of child care services from ranging from occasional to extra long-day care, and for children aged from 6 weeks to 18 months.
"The centre's hours will be flexible depending on whether Federal Parliament is sitting," Anglicare's Northern Region Operations Manager, Simon Bennett, said.
The Anglican agency will be drawing on its experience of more than two decades of running child care centres.
"Anglicare Canberra and Goulburn is a non-profit organisation that has run child care centres for more than 25 years.
"We have a proven record of expertise and professional care that nurtures children and assists the needs of families," Mr Bennett said.
The centre is expected to open when design and building work has been completed.