FED ELECTION: CHILDCARE DESERT FUNDS SHOULD START WITH THESE COMMUNITIES

Fifteen towns, including Nambucca Heads, Cairns and Bridgewater should be priority locations for the new and expanded early learning centres that major parties have committed to funding, according to a new analysis.

Labor – through its Building Early Education Fund – the Coalition – through the Regional Australia Future Fund – and the Greens’ commitment of a $2 billion childcare deserts fund have pledged to tackle the crippling shortage of childcare services in regional, rural and remote areas.

 Maddy Butler, Campaign Director of The Parenthood and convenor of the Access for Every Child Coalition (a group of over 70 organisations advocating for improved regional childcare access), said that the major parties should commit to directing funds to vulnerable communities.

 "The lack of regional, rural and remote early learning services has held communities back for far too long, and it's encouraging to see that there is bipartisan commitment to address this important issue," Ms Butler said.

 "What we need now is a concrete action plan, with a focus on the communities most in need and/or where there is existing momentum.

 “Our research has identified fifteen priority locations where a lack of childcare services is severely impacting families, children and local economies,” Ms Butler said.

 Based on an analysis of childcare availability, socioeconomic data, and conversations with local communities about the challenges they’re facing due to a lack of childcare services, The Parenthood has identified the following priority communities for immediate investment:

• Wellington, NSW
• Nambucca Heads surrounds, NSW
• Kempsey surrounds, NSW
• Bombaderry, NSW
• Northam, WA
• Bridgewater, Tas
• Newnham, Tas
• Ravenswood, Tas
• Parklands-Camdale, Tas
• Port Pirie, SA
• Strathpine, QLD
• Cairns, QLD
• Caboolture, QLD
• Cape York, QLD
• Sandover, NT 

“Many of these communities are amongst the most socioeconomically disadvantaged in the country, according to research by Social Ventures Australia [1],” Ms Butler said.

“They are also communities severely impacted by childcare shortages.

“Access to high-quality early learning and care can be transformational for children, especially children from vulnerable communities.

“Yet, unfortunately, they are the ones most likely to miss out on it, sowing the seeds for ongoing disadvantage.

“Research from Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute [2] shows that getting the early years right is the best way to address the educational outcome gap for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“High-quality early learning and care can help children arrive at school ready to learn and set them up for lifelong success.

“It enables parents and carers to engage in the paid workforce - should they choose to - and communities to attract and retain essential workers who need childcare in order to work, including teachers, nurses and doctors, significantly improving access to health and education services for whole regions.

“Investing in these communities isn't just good social policy – it's smart economic policy that will boost regional development and create sustainable employment opportunities.

“The Parenthood’s proposed list is a starting point for these funds. The ultimate goal is universal early childhood education and care.

“Every child deserves access, regardless of their postcode or their background.

"Additionally, a one-size-fits-all solution will not work. Each regional community has unique needs and challenges that require tailored solutions and genuine community consultation.

"We've seen that when early learning centres are co-located with schools, they often achieve better outcomes for children and create practical convenience for families. This approach should be prioritised where appropriate.

“In some locations, centre-based care is not suitable for a number of reasons. In these instances, flexibility is required within the funding mechanisms to ensure that alternative models which best meet the communities’ needs, such as family daycare or mobile early learning, can be realised.                                                           

“This should include Aboriginal community-controlled early learning services,” Ms Butler said.

Catherine Liddle, CEO of SNAICC, said access to childcare places in regional and remote areas where many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families live is a significant factor in early learning.

“However acute ECEC deserts are, they’re much more so for ACCO services.

“Evidence shows vulnerable children get the greatest benefit from accessing quality education and care, but finding culturally safe early education and care services is incredibly difficult for our families.

“The BEEF and RAFF present a long-needed and significant opportunity to change the trajectory for our children, so it’s critical we get the right investment in the right regions,” Ms Liddle said.

“We strongly urge the next Federal Government to commit to directing investment from their proposed funds to these communities as the first step towards a universal early learning system,” Ms Butler said.

“Regional, rural and remote Australians cannot wait any longer.”

[1] Social Ventures Australia – Targeting investment where it counts.

[2] Victoria University | Mitchell Institute – Unequal from the start.