THE HON. WARREN SNOWDON MP
Minister for Defence Science and Personnel
Wednesday, 15 April 2009
054/2008
B4KIDS TAKES CARE OF DEFENCE KIDS
The Minister for Defence Science and Personnel, the Hon. Warren Snowdon MP,
has today announced that a new contract has been signed for management of the 21
owned and leased Defence Child Care Centres.
Mr Snowdon said he is confident the new contract will provide families with stable,
high-quality child care.
“Our 21 owned and leased centres will be under the management of an experienced
and skilled organisation with a focus on meeting the needs of our Defence families,”
Mr Snowdon said.
The new contractor is B4Kids Pty Ltd (B4Kids) – a team with over ten years’
experience in the management of corporate child care programs, with previous
clients including Westpac, ANZ, Tyco, and Optus. Since 2007, B4Kids have been
engaged as independent contractors to manage the Defence contract between ABC
and Defence, and since October 2008 it has been managing the contract on behalf of
the receivers.
“I have every expectation that families using the centres will not notice any
disruptions in service, and that the quality and consistency of the care our families
receive increases under the new management arrangements.”
B4Kids will take over the management of the Defence Child Care Centres on
Monday, 18 May 2009. This new contract brings to an end a very difficult period for
the users of centres in the Defence Child Care Program.
“I would like to thank the families who have stuck by us through this time of
uncertainty,” Mr Snowdon said.
“We always said that we would keep the Defence centres open and functional, and
today we are able to announce to families that we have kept this promise.
“In addition, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Court-appointed Receivers
announced today that new operators have been found for the five centres where
Defence children have priority access. The further 15 centres, under the ABC1
banner, will also continue operate as usual.”
Families may wish to attend information sessions that are being held around the
country in the coming weeks, or seek updates on the Defence Community
Media contacts:
Kate Sieper (Warren Snowdon):
02 6277 7620 or 0488 484 689
Defence Media Liaison:
02 6265 3343 or 0408 498 664
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