Parents say cheaper childcare is needed on the Coast

IN THE midst of political uncertainty, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has scrapped the paid parental leave scheme and vowed to reform the child care system.

Child Care story Sharon Robertson (teacher) , Macey, Alex Wood (educator) , Elsie, Kai, Millie and Aurora at Dalton Drive Ealy Learning. Photo: Warren Lynam / Sunshine Coast Daily. Picture: Warren Lynam

IN THE midst of political uncertainty, embattled Prime Minister Tony Abbott has scrapped the paid parental leave scheme and vowed to reform the child care system.

The maligned policy, which would have increased the paid parental leave timeframe and enabled full remuneration of wages - capped at $50,000 - for six months of leave, among other measures, was officially abandoned on Monday.

Child Care story Alex Wood with 5 month old baby Elsie at Dalton Drive Ealy Learning. Photo: Warren Lynam / Sunshine Coast Daily. Picture: Warren Lynam

Sunshine Coast parents and child care workers agreed that enabling better access to more affordable child care services was needed as parents struggled to manage children, work and ever-increasing financial pressures.

Annie Scanlan, the owner of Happy Home Child Care at Mooloolaba, said the most common complaint she heard was about the scarcity of child care.

"It's really hard to get," she said.

Ms Scanlan said there was pressure on families from so many directions these days, it was vital to ensure child care was affordable.

"The pressure on families at the moment is both parents have to be working - mortgages are so high they can't afford to not be both working," she said.

"It's also incredibly expensive to run a family daycare (centre) ... to be able to tick all the boxes costs an enormous amount of money."

Ms Scanlan said an increasing number of parents were opting to study - to utilise government assistance and try to increase their chances of high-end employment once their children began school - instead of returning to the workforce.

The shift to child care centric policy came after further changes to child care regulations - to eliminate operators rorting the system - were postponed last week by Social Services Minister Scott Emerson.

Member for Fisher Mal Brough welcomed the postponement, as many legitimate child care operators feared they could be swept up in the changes and pushed out of the industry.

"The driver for changes to family daycare is to crack down on providers who are exploiting the system," Mr Brough said.

"Families have told me that having access to affordable child care is important to them.

"Striking the right balance is important, which is why the Minister postponed the changes and will consult further."

Sandy-Lea Perry, who is expecting her second child, is one of those who have chosen to study during their children's pre-school years in a bid to further career opportunities later.

"With my first child, trying to get back into the workforce was just impossible," Ms Perry said.

"Having to go out and find a job to cover the expenses of a new child isn't easy ... there's always concern. It doesn't matter how much money you make (as a couple), there's always pressure."

Dalton Drive Early Learning managing director Brendan Mason said although he believed Coast child care vacancies were not as severe a problem as some thought, greater affordability of child care would benefit many.

"Affordability is an issue - there's no doubt about that," he said, adding that the child care threshold needed to be lifted to ease the financial burden on many families.