The Federal Government recently announced that small businesses with fewer than 15 staff can now apply for grants between $5,000 and $15,000 to put in place family-friendly work arrangements.

The Fresh Ideas for Work and Family grants will provide small businesses opportunities to implement previously cost prohibitive family-friendly measures to attract and retain staff, maximize profitability and create a workplace that supports staff with young families. To take advantage of these grants applications need to be lodged by 24 April 2009 and businesses need to clearly specify which services they would like to introduce, with each application to be judged on its own merits. Expect A Star, Australian specialist provider of childcare and education services and Finalist in the 2008 Telstra Business Awards, is offering small businesses free advice on how to complete the grant application forms while also providing a unique, tailored package of services to make the workplace more family-friendly. Ryan Meldrum, CEO of Expect A Star, sees the grants as a not-to-be-missed opportunity for small businesses to compete with big business in the recruitment and retention of staff.“Previously only big business could afford to consider offering family-friendly benefits like expert advice lines for parents, workplace parenting seminars or easy, cost effective access to emergency babysitting services,” Ryan said.“These grants are a forward-looking approach to creating the same opportunities for all families and a workforce ethos that brings Australia in line with that of the worlds most developed nations.“We believe that our Corporate Family Program offers small businesses a great package of services to help them run a profitable business while supporting their staff with young families.” Ryan said.To get in touch with Expect A Star for free help completing the Fresh Ideas for Work and Family application forms visit

For more information on the grants visit www.deewr.gov.au/freshideas or call the Workplace Infoline on 1300 363 264.

The program offers staff:

 ·         The support needed to work their way through the minefield of information and processes involved in getting their child into childcare. This includes:o        Online access to a comprehensive search database of 7000 accredited centers, pre-schools and kindergartens divided up by suburb.o        Advice over the phone from Expect A Star trained professionals on how to get children into the right centre for them.o        Assistance from Expect A Star staff to advocate on the behalf of the parent with the center.  

• A Nanny and Babysitting online booking service, useful for emergencies with a one hour response time. Includes:

  • Free CV reviews & interviews.

  • Reduced hourly rates for babysitting.

  • Reduced placement fees for nannies.

• Parenting Services:

  • Free, unlimited online access to our professional consultants for advice, tips, latest news and articles on parenting needs.

  • Recommended family activities to facilitate planning things to do on weekends and holidays.

  • Access to parent seminars with Early Childhood specialists, such a free seminar for staff on a topic of their choice, delivered by a specialist consultant.

  • Online access to age-appropriate children’s learning resources, including employee discounts of 20% in the first 6 months after implementation, and 10% discounts forever thereafter.

 All these services are made easily available on a company branded family website which is set up, managed and updated daily by Expect A Star. There is a 12 week new client implementation period, including an official launch and company-branded electronic communication to circulate to employees. Well-known businesses who have taken up this program include Westfield, Gadens Lawyers, Downer Edi mining and Toll. MEDIA CONTACT: Penny Rose, Marketing Elements, P: 02 9360 3600; E: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or Cecelia Haddad on 0411 264 948.