United Voice News
Not so Cuddly
*Media Release* A new federal government website recommends Western Australian childcare centres that have failed accreditation because of poor standards of hygiene and staff using physical force with children. 24th October, 2008.
The Federal Government’s new website www.mychild.gov.au is directing Western Australian parents to Cuddles Childcare Centres - that have failed accreditation due to staff using physical force on children and poor standards of hygiene.
Cuddles have also been prosecuted for non-payment of superannuation of staff to the tune of $83,000.
“Cuddles is probably Australia’s worst childcare provider and half of Cuddles’ centres have failed accreditation,” said Kelly Shay, Assistant Secretary of WA’s Childcare Union, LHMU.
“The comments on their accreditation report would alarm any parent, and for good reason.”
“Cuddles is also a notoriously bad employer. The company refuses to pay workers their legal entitlement to superannuation, engage in unfair dismissal and discriminate against Cuddles childcare employees on maternity leave.”
“Despite the best efforts of childcare workers employed by Cuddles, Cuddles don’t provide quality care to children and don’t treat their workers fairly. They should be prosecuted by the Federal Government not promoted.”
