STILL WAITING: FINDING CHILDCARE IN MELBOURNE
All families should have access to flexible, high quality, affordable childcare that is available when they need it.
But for too many families in Melbourne, accessing childcare is a challenge.
“Still waiting: Finding childcare in Melbourne” is a unique snapshot of the pressures facing childcare providers and local families in the Federal electorate of Melbourne. The report is the fifth prepared since 2010 and presents the latest study of childcare availability in the electorate conducted by the office of Adam Bandt MP.
The results are concerning. Centres reported long waiting lists and lack of vacancies. Families with children enrolled in care face long waits to change or increase days. Community and not-for-profit centres are particularly under strain to meet demand.
This report demonstrates that childcare availability and waiting times are not improving in the way they need to if we are to meet the needs of Melbourne families.
Key findings:
- Only 20% of centres had vacancies every day for 0-2 year-old children and 17% of centres had vacancies every day for 3-4 y.o. children
- Over half of centres in Melbourne had no vacancies at all for 0-2 year-old children
- Waiting lists for 0-2 year olds average 7.9 months
- Waiting lists for 3-4 year olds average 5.8 months
- Long day care in Melbourne costs an average of $128 per day
“Still Waiting” demonstrates the need for urgent action to address the need for childcare in Melbourne. The Greens have a plan to expand childcare centres, support childcare workers, and ensure that quality and affordable childcare is available in Melbourne and around the country.