Childcare reforms too important to delay

Early Childhood Australia said today that despite the campaign targeted at parents by some childcare services, the early childhood education and care reforms are affordable and services have known about them for well over two years.

ECA chief executive officer Pam Cahir said that many services are already meeting the standards and are still offering affordable, high quality early childhood education and care.

“Many services are already meeting the standards and other operators such as Goodstart, are now confident the reforms would only cost around $3 to $5 per day.”

Goodstart, the organisation that took over the 670 ABC long day care services has said that the average cost of these initial reforms will be between $3 to $5 a day for most services, and for a very few services fees will rise by $6 per day.

“After the Child Care Rebate, which is not means tested, the majority of families using childcare will get 50 per cent of any fee increase back.

“This will mean a real cost of between $1.50 to $3 per day for a great number of families.”

Ms Cahir said it was troubling to see a scare campaign being waged against the reforms by people who are calling them rushed and ill considered.

“The reality is that these reforms have been negotiated at length by all levels of Government over the last 12 to 18 months. COAG agreed to the reforms in 2009 and services have been widely consulted and kept well informed of the progress.

“Services need to stop trying to frighten parents, and start working with them to ensure that children get the best possible care and education possible.”

Ms Cahir said costs could increase as a result of the reforms, but the Child Care Rebate, which pays 50 per cent of out of pocket expenses for childcare up to $7,500 per child, is available to the majority of parents.

For more information contact:
Pam Cahir, 0407 008 524
Claire Johnston, 0434 489 533