Child care is costing some families as much as a yearly tuition to Brisbane’s elite high schools

SENDING toddlers to child care is costing some families as much as yearly tuition to Brisbane’s elite high schools. SEE THE FIGURES

Maroochydore Mum Elise Reilly with son Angus is waiting to see how the 2016 Federal Budget will affect her childcare plans. Photo Lachie Millard

SENDING toddlers to child care is costing some families as much as a yearly tuition to Brisbane’s elite high schools.

An analysis of industry figures by The Courier-Mail shows a family sending one child to long day care in Brisbane’s CBD five days a week is charged about $26,300, less the $7500 Child Care Benefit, to be out of pocket about $18,800.

Nationwide, the average for such a service is $22,800, which would see a family out of pocket about $15,300.

The amounts are as much or more than school fees at many top private schools in the city. Parents of a high school student at St Joseph’s Nudgee College or Somerville House pay between $15,000 and $20,500 a year.

The analysis comes as new Education Department figures show child care, including long day care, family day care, occasional care and outside hours school care, costs the average family $110 in out-of-pocket costs a week.

It also shows the rise has slowed under the Coalition Government.

Federal Education Minister Simon Birmingham said fees only grew by 3.6 per cent in the June quarter of 2015, compared with an average annual increase of 7.8 per cent during Labor’s time in office.

How the prices for child care compares with elite secondary education in Brisbane.

Senator Birmingham said the Federal Government’s proposed changes to child care, which will invest a further $3 billion, would reduce out-of-pocket costs for most families in a shake up of how the rebate and Child Care Benefit were paid.

“With the number of children in child care climbing to around 1.5 million last year, it’s clear that families can see the developmental benefits it delivers, but we need to ensure the system is sustainable and accessible,” he said.

Maroochydore mum Elise Reilly, 31, said child care was affordable with a decent rebate but she would not want to see prices rise further.

Ms Reilly is returning to work after taking time off to spend with son Angus Buchanan, who has turned one.

“I wouldn’t like to see prices go up because it would make you wonder if it was worth it, especially when you’re only working part-time,” Ms Reilly said.