Ms Kate Ellis, the Minister for Early Childhood, Childcare and Youth, released a government report stating that the number of children in childcare in Australia had increased by one-third since Labor was elected.
Gwynn Bridge, Australian Childcare Alliance president , said the report was misleading because it double-counted children who attended multiple services. Kate Ellis is "stating that there are more children in childcare than ever but that could be one child doing after-school care, before-school care and vacation care," Ms Bridge said.
"We are now in election mode. ACA has already done considerable work with all politicians to ensure that families and affordability in early education and care are on the agenda. It is time for Ministers to stop stating that education and care is more affordable than ever and to listen to the voices of families who are being hit in their hip pocket." ACA Facebook page.
You may be interested in a previous post and discussion here about facts and figures in early childhood and how Australia ranks extremely low, worldwide, on expenditure on early childhood educational institutions by both the public and private sector.
The Australian Childcare Alliance is the national association specifically for long day care services. ACA provides support, information and advice to keep members abreast of current research and information on government funding to families.
Read the story at THE AUSTRALIAN.
"Parents say it's becoming unaffordable for them to remain in the workforce" I have heard this many times but they feel in a bind as they can not manage without an extra income either.
ReplyDeleteWorking is trickier for larger families and for those who don't have grandparents of friends to help, especially if your industry of choice does not pay well. Childcare costs have definitely been a deterrent for me working while the children were younger - it just didn't add up, and what was left wasn't worth the sacrifice of losing time with the little ones.
ReplyDeleteIt's not only expensive but you know the childcare workers are not being paid well, which makes you feel bad, you know you don't want to leave your child for so many days and that feels bad - it's a no win solution in Australia. I wonder what other countries like Sweden and Finland do?
ReplyDelete