Parents put off having more children due to cost of childcare new study reveals

Tassie parents are putting off having more children because of the rising costs of childcare — but government help for families is on the horizon. LATEST + HAVE YOUR SAY >>

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FAMILIES could be putting off having more children because of the cost of childcare, a new study has revealed.

An independent report commissioned by The Front Project found the cost was a barrier to work and study for more than seventy per cent of parents.

“There is also evidence that early learning costs are impacting decisions about having more children,” The Front Project CEO Jane Hunt said.

The study also found more than 80 per cent of parents want more flexible hours and better access to quality care.

“Families see early learning as vitally important to their lives and understand the multiple benefits that it delivers, but the system could work better for them,” Ms Hunt said.

Over half of the parents involved in the study thought it was hardly worth working, after subtracting childcare fees.

Whereas just under half said they’ve had to make financial sacrifices or change work hours because of the cost and availability of childcare.

“Parents feel like they lack genuine choice after taking into account issues surrounding affordability, available places and alignment with individual family needs,” Ms Hunt said.

The cost of childcare is making parents reluctant to have more kids. Allison Goldsmith with her children Clara 2 and Toby 11 months. Picture: Richard Jupe.

Allison Goldsmith is a mother of two who has thought about having more children but is hesitant because of childcare costs.

“It’s a pretty big factor, I only have them in one day a week because to have them in too many more would not be cost effective for me, “ Ms Goldsmith said.

“The toys, the clothes, the feeding, the costs of kids is up there without adding in childcare.”

Ms Goldsmith said once the cost of childcare was subtracted, she wasn’t left with much from the working day.

“For that day in childcare, I reckon I’d take enough home for dinner,” she said.

“Maybe a little more but not much.”

The mother of two said she was lucky to have support from grandparents.

“At the moment I have a lot of support from the family to look after children, if I didn’t have that support I wouldn’t be able to go to work with an extra child,” she said.

Further assistance for childcare was announced in the Federal budget in May, with the government promising to cover 95% of the cost of childcare for the second and subsequent children aged under five.

The scheme isn’t expected to come into effect until July 2022

“Any support to reduce the cost of care is welcomed but sadly we have to wait another year. “ CEO of Lady Gowrie Ros Cornish said.

“To have multiple kids in care it’s not a cheap exercise, many families have their children in care to secure their jobs.

HAVE YOUR SAY: Are you putting off having more kids as childcare costs rise? Join the conversation in the comments section below.