Childcare cost rise passed to parents
As the Productivity Commission into childcare and early learning handles submissions, debate over the drivers for increased childcare costs are continuing in the Goldfields.
Federal Member for O’Connor Rick Wilson has waded into the debate, saying he is concerned families in the region are paying more for childcare due to greater compliance costs for childcare providers.
Mr Wilson joined his Coalition colleagues in criticising the “red tape” costs from the National Quality Framework instituted by the Labor Government, citing a regulatory report which found operating costs for an average-size centre increased by $2000 per child.
“While our Government has already started the process to reduce some of this red tape, these new figures back our decision to task the Productivity Commission to find ways to deliver more affordable, accessible and flexible childcare in O’Connor,” Mr Wilson said.
For many centres, these increased costs have come in the form of a wage rise for staff with qualifications required by the National Quality Framework.
