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Research finds Australian families pay as much for childcare as they would to send their child to a private primary school, as the sky-high costs push mothers like Lina Gyle to decide to have only one baby.
The report said a family with both parents on the average salary of $85,000 would pay $5,782 a year out of pocket. The non-government school sector estimates the median out-of-pocket cost for all private schools is $5,200.
Researchers say the value of quality childcare to a child's long-term development cannot be underestimated. While childcare centres were once considered just"drop-off zones", research shows good early childhood educators can significantly improve outcomes for children as they progress through primary and high school. "High-quality preschool can put a child up to eight months ahead in their learning of where they would have been without it," Dr Jackson said.The Mitchell Institute report calls for government funding of early childhood education centres — similar to that afforded to primary schools — to ensure universal access. It is a proposal supported by Rebecca Stiles, director of the Hillbank Community Children's Centre in Melbourne. She is concerned about the government subsidies offered to big corporate centres which dominate the sector — particularly at a time when demand is soaring. "Because, for them, it's more about making that money to line their pockets and get their big advertising budgets," she said.
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