Regional Childcare Services

The Hon. J.S. LEE (15:46): I rise today to speak about the childcare crisis facing regional South Australian families and communities. We know that children develop confidence and build invaluable skills in their first five years of life and that high-quality early learning gives children the best possible start. Lack of access to child care in regional South Australia is stifling the economic development and potential of our regional communities and hampering the wellbeing of children and families across much of our state.

A childcare desert is defined as a populated area where there are more than three children competing for every childcare place. Data from Victoria University's Mitchell Institute shows that 21 per cent of South Australia is considered a childcare desert, with many families in regional areas having virtually no access to child care at all. For example, the Mitchell Institute's data shows that on Eyre Peninsula there are 0.2 childcare places per child, meaning that there are five children for every one childcare place available. Families in Loxton and surrounds face almost endless waiting lists for child care, with 0.02 places per child, which is equal to 50 children per available childcare place.

The challenges faced by regional communities are very concerning. Parents are forced to drive long distances to drop off their children at care centres, have to rely on family and friends to provide care, or simply have to step back from their work and careers to care for their children. It should not be forgotten that women are predominantly impacted by childcare shortages, with data showing that areas with lower access to child care also have lower levels of workforce participation for women who have a child aged under five years.

In December last year, 23 councils across South Australia came together to form the Regional Childcare Desert Advocacy Project, calling for equitable access to childcare services in regional and remote areas of our state. The project has launched a social media campaign to highlight the critical childcare shortage across most of our regions and the flow-on impacts this has for families, businesses and communities.

I would like to briefly share some of the stories that have been highlighted in this campaign to demonstrate this wide-reaching issue. Verity, from Orroroo, has three children under six and cannot return to full-time teaching, with only a visiting care service and limited hours in her town. She constantly has to turn down requests for relief teaching work and says that she feels isolated and misses the interaction she gets from work.

Jessica is a paramedic from Cummins who drives to Port Lincoln for work. Jessica had to wait over two years for a childcare place and even then was only offered one day a week. She said returning to work full-time after having two children, now aged three and six, had been impossible and finding carers to help out is a constant juggle.

Gabby is a nurse based on Eyre Peninsula but had to give up regular shifts because there was no child care available. She can now only work on weekends or during school holidays when family members can help. She and many other health professionals are desperately needed but are forced to take a step back from their work due to the lack of childcare options.

While child care is predominantly under the federal jurisdiction, there are pathways for the state government to do more to support regional families and increase access in these so-called deserts. The state government delivers rural care programs to provide care for children in communities with limited options. The RCDAP is calling for increased funding for the rural care program run by the state government to enable more places in these settings.

The government has also recently provided funding of $500,000 towards a new early learning centre in Naracoorte through the Thriving Regions—Enabling Infrastructure Program. This is a fantastic initiative that could be replicated in other areas where the childcare needs of the community are simply not being met.

I wish to thank the 23 councils involved in the Regional Childcare Desert Advocacy Project, and everyone who has participated. I am looking forward to seeing more support from the state government that can make a significant difference in the lives of children and families across our state.