CHILDCARE CHANGES COULD PUSH UP COST OF CARE WITH LITTLE GAIN IN QUALITY
06-October-2011
Louise Markus MP, Federal Member for Macquarie and the Hon Sussan Ley MP, Shadow Minister for Childcare and Early Childhood Learning visited a local childcare centre in the Lower Mountains, to gain feedback on proposed changes to Childcare standards and funding. Key among the concerns expressed, was the expected impact of the Federal Government’s new National Quality Framework rules.
Ms Ley said “Labor’s Childcare Minister, Kate Ellis, is forcing up the cost of care for parents by imposing mandatory staff ratios and standards onto an industry which has had insufficient opportunity to respond.
“There is real unease among management and staff that they will either have to cut available places or push up fees, which will then push some parents into backyard care”.
Louise Markus said that this is typical policy-on-the-run that the community has come to expect from the Gillard Labor Government.
“It appears the government has not thought this through properly” said Louise Markus.
“Childcare is an essential service for families where both parents work and for parents needing a break. Childcare centres provide a supportive environment where children can play, learn and be cared for.
“Childcare operators need time and support to ensure compliance with the new system and standards so there is no interruption to the services they provide” Louise Markus said.
A local childcare centre said that the industry is already over regulated. Accreditation has been ensuring compliance and operating efficiently for some time and we need to ask ourselves will this additional paperwork, time, cost and reporting really make a difference to the quality that is currently being delivered?
Louise Markus thanked the local Childcare community for their comments and for the opportunity to hear firsthand about the impact of the Labor Government’s new rules.
“The Minister needs to delay the whole process, get out of her office and consult the industry before this reform descends into one unholy mess” Sussan Ley said.