Northern beaches: Vacancies are drying up in childcare ‘deserts’

New stats show that in some parts of the northern beaches families struggle to find vacant childcare places for their kids.

Parts of the northern beaches have become so-called childcare “deserts”where there are more than three kids for every place available.

Families are struggling to find a vacancy for their child in about a third of the former Pittwater Council region and close to 20 per cent of the old Manly Local Government Area, new figures reveal.

And in the old Warringah Council zone parents in just over 11 per cent of the area are battling to find a place to look after their children.

Children playing at Northern Beaches Council's Belrose Children's Centre. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

But on the whole, Pittwater, Manly and Warringah all have less than three children for every childcare place.

In the old Manly Council area there are 2.44 kids per vacant place and in Warringah, 1.94 children for each childcare space.

Research from Victoria University-affiliated Mitchell Institute revealed that some three million people in NSW are living in what it qualifies as ‘childcare deserts’.

The geographical divide is stark, with suburbs in the inner city having a range of childcare options, while parents in the southwest and western suburbs, along with regional NSW, have to compete for very few places.

The report’s lead author, Peter Hurley, argues that the privatised childcare sector isn’t opening centres where the demand is highest, but where the owners can charge the highest fees.

A staff member with children playing at Northern Beaches Council's Brookvale Children's Centre. Picture: Northern Beaches Council

“Our research shows that the most expensive childcare in Australian cities are also in suburbs with more childcare places, suggesting there is an incentive for providers to open in wealthier areas where families can afford to pay higher fees,” Dr Hurley said.

Northern Beaches Council confirmed that since January 2021 it had approved two new centres and had refused the DA on another.

“We currently have one DA which has been lodged but not yet accepted by Council,” a spokesman said.

Co-owner of the Explore & Develop childcare centre in Rodborough Rd at Frenchs Forest, Cherie Cash, said it had a waiting list to secure a place because it offered sought after educational program with a play-based curriculum for infants through to preschool-aged children.

Jenny Mays (left) and Cherie Cash, co-owners of the Explore & Develop child care centre at Frenchs Forest. Picture; Explore & Develop

The 90 children take part in music and movement, literacy and art.

But Ms Cash said there was an oversupply of childcare facilities generally on the northern beaches.

“If you’re happy to accept what you can get then there is definitely spaces.

“There was, up until three weeks ago, three services in my street alone.

“ A centre down the road which had been operating for 20 years, closed, unfortunately a few weeks ago, due to low occupancy.

“Just nearby in Aquatic Dr, there are two services operating as well as one near KFC.

“They are just opening on every corner almost, in some areas.”

Children at the Explore & Develop child care centre at Frenchs Forest, which has a waiting list. Picture: Explore & Develop

Ms Cash said the waiting list to Explore & Develop was a sign that the business was trusted by parents after building a good reputation over many years.

“We’re tucked away in an industrial area. People aren't driving past us, but we get a lot of referrals through word of mouth and referrals through mothers’ groups on Facebook.

Ms Cash said the centre was also successful because it was an independently-owned business, run by two mums and had a low turnover of staff.

Kids learning at Explore & Develop Frenchs Forest. Picture: Explore & Develop

The council has seven long day care and three preschools and an Occasional Care Service at Brookvale Children’s Centre

Council supports 60 Family Day Care services across our area