Childcare services in dire straits after 2022 northern NSW floods

Waiting lists “miles long” for regional and rural child care places have parents up in arms amid the prolonged waiting for many centres to be rebuilt after the 2022 floods.

Better incentives for early childhood educators should be the top priority for federal leaders in addressing the rural childcare crisis, according to the results of a vote by attendees at the Country Kids and Communities virtual forum in June.

The event, hosted by Minderoo Foundation’s Thrive by Five campaign was attended by Federal Minister for Regional Development Kristy McBain and Shadow Minister Darren Chester.

It showcased the stories of rural parents and educators from around Australia.

It was held just hours after the Prime Minister signalled his openness to implementing a universal early learning system with a $10-a-day cap, as outlined in a new report from the Centre for Policy Development.

Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan, left, with mum’s Jaclyn Pilbean and Rachael Lane, and Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education and Youth Angie Bell MP in Goonellabah.

On the North Coast Federal Member for Page, Kevin Hogan and Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Angie Bell met with local parents who say they’re feeling left behind, and unable to access child care in their communities.

“Many families have been scrambling to find a place for their children. Labor’s policies have delivered higher fees, longer waitlists, no access and further pressure on the sector,” Mr Hogan said.

“We know that Labor doesn’t care about the regions, and their $4.7 billion “cheaper child care” policy has not delivered one extra place for families in regional communities.”

Ms Bell said regional families needed more flexibility and choice.

“I’ve spoken to families around the country, including here in Page, and the story is the same – there is next to no access, waiting lists as far as the eye can see, and no plan from Labor to deliver relief,” Ms Bell said.

“We want to see more support delivered to those families, to ensure equal access of education and care for all families regardless of their postcode.

The Learning Cottage on Keen St, Lismore during the 2022 floods. Picture: facebook

Yet some local educators say it’s the lack of centres that have been able to reopen after the 2022 floods that have created the childcare place shortages.

“It’s been two years and we are still waiting for the rebuild to finish before we can reopen,” Karen Webber from the Learning Cottage Lismore said.

“How huge our waitlist is due to the lack of services in the area since the 2022 floods. Wait times are across the board and will continue to be the case until services recommence,” Ms Webber said.

Kids playing. Picture: Getty Images,

Director of Goodstart Early Learning Goonellabah Deb Mitchell said there aren’t enough spaces for all the children in the Northern Rivers.

“We have a waiting list that is miles long,” Ms Mitchell.

“Obviously Lismore hasn’t opened up to full capacity but there is also a lot less staff around as well.”

Ms Mitchell said with two new childcare centres in the works in Lismore that could provide about 200 new spaces, there are “plenty of kids” that would soon fill those.

Ms Mitchell said while a pay-bump for early educators is “a step in the right direction” attracting and retaining staff is a challenge.

“We’re seeing an increase in child diagnoses, an increase in child escalating behaviours … whether or not that’s an impact from the pandemic or the flood I don’t know.”

She said many early child educators do the job because they want to because educating and teaching young children is “such an important role”.

A sentiment reiterated by Mr Weatherill who said the government needs to “better attract, retain and reward early childhood educators, who provide an essential service for their towns”.

Kids playing. Picture: Getty Images.

United Workers Union Early Learning Director Carolyn Smith said addressing the workforce crisis in early childhood education and care is urgent everywhere, but especially so in Northern NSW.

“Helping the community get back on its feet includes essential services for local parents and children, so their lives can get back on track.

“We know from our surveys that access to early education and care is worse in regional and remote areas, even before the impacts of natural disasters.

“Issues include educators leaving the sector because of low pay, exhaustion and burnout, rooms being closed because of staff shortages, and young children unsettled by a revolving door of unfamiliar faces.

“We have welcomed the Federal Government’s Budget commitment to funding a desperately-needed wage increase for early educators.

“The funding will help restore stability to services for families and ensure children receive the educational opportunities they need.”

United Workers Union acting early education director Carolyn Smith. Picture: Supplied

The second priority voted for at the forum event was to enshrine in law the right of every child to access early childhood education and care.

“It was said loud and clear: universal access to early learning would be particularly important for country kids and families, who too often live in childcare deserts where there are three or more children for every available place,” Mr Weatherill said.

“It would never be the case that a primary school aged child could not attend school because they are from the bush, so why is that the case in the early years?

“Now we would like to see the government step up and implement universal early learning, and find creative ways to incentivise this overlooked yet crucial profession in country towns.”