By Jamie Salter
The ability for families to access childcare spaces in Victoria is determined by wealth, according to a new report on childcare availability in Australia.
Victoria’s childcare centres are concentrated in the wealthiest suburbs of Melbourne including Stonnington, Glen Eira and Yarra where about 1.5 children under four years of age were vying for every childcare space, contrasting up to three children vying for a spot in outer Melbourne suburbs.
In Cardinia, 2.68 children were found to be vying for a childcare space.
The Deserts and Oases: How accessible is childcare in Australia? report, by Mitchell Institute at Victoria University, maps out the shortage of childcare services across every neighbourhood in the country and compares it to the socioeconomic status of communities.
Lead author Dr Peter Hurley said the research showed providers were not only establishing services where there was greater demand, but where they were likely to make greater profits.
“Unlike schools, the early learning sector is made up of for-profit businesses and not-for-profit providers,” he said.
“Our research shows the most expensive childcare in Australian cities is also in suburbs with more childcare places, suggesting there is an incentive for providers to open in wealthier areas where families can afford to pay higher fees.”
Dr Hurley said the shortage of childcare places was a concern for both the economy and children’s early development.
“There is a huge body of evidence showing the positive long-term impacts produced by high-quality early learning in setting children up for success as they transition to school, with the benefits continuing throughout their life,” he said.
“…universal access to high quality affordable early learning doesn’t have to be an unattainable dream.“
The sector receives $11 billion a year in Federal Government funding via the childcare subsidy with parents contributing up to $6.8 billion (in 2019).
Cardinia Shire has approximately 33 Long Day Childcare Centres with the majority of these located within the growth corridor areas of Beaconsfield, Officer, Officer South and Pakenham.
Cardinia Shire Council works with the Victorian Government and early years managers to provide sessional kindergarten services across the shire.
Long Day Childcare services are provided by private childcare providers and early years schools, as well as other childcare services such as family day care and occasional care services which are generally offered by not for profit agencies within Cardinia Shire.
“…in the past two years council has issued planning permits for the development of an additional four Long Day Childcare centres which will provide an additional 400 spaces if these centres are opened by private providers,“ Cardinia Shire manager of future communities Tracey Parker said.
“Cardinia Shire Council look forward to reviewing the Mitchell Institute report regarding the accessibility of childcare places across Australia.“
