An Australian-first study by the Mitchell Institute has revealed 82 per cent of regional South Australians are living in areas considered “childcare deserts”, with that figure a lot lower in greater metropolitan areas at 36 per cent.
Key points:
- A study into childcare availability has found facilities are concentrated in the wealthiest areas
In Tumby Bay, seven children under four years of age are vying for every one childcare space available
The study has found 82 per cent of regional South Australians are living in “childcare deserts”
Tumby Bay, Kingston, and Mannum have been named as some of the worst “childcare deserts” in South Australia with childcare services concentrated in the wealthiest areas.
In the Eyre Peninsula and West, seven children under four years of age are vying for every one childcare space available, starving parents of easily accessible facilities.
Karlee Dunn, Tumby Bay mother of five-year-old twins and a one-year-old, applied to be on a childcare waiting list as soon as she became pregnant, and she still had to wait more than a year to get her twins into a centre.
Ms Dunn said she had friends from the region who had to wait up to two years, while others gave up completely.
The delay in getting her children into childcare meant that she had to extend her maternity leave, adding to the stresses of being a new parent.
The financial burden
Ms Dunn said it had been a difficult time.
“Every family situation is different, but it does put stress on us financially. It’s a catch 22 because then you have to pay childcare too,” she said.
“There has been a lot of frustration, especially for some people who don’t have family support around them.”
Ms Dunn said it was disappointing to see her home town listed as one of the worst “childcare deserts” and she worried for future parents in the region.
Her sister, Jade Dunn, has a two-year-old and a six-month-old, and is currently on maternity leave.
“I need my childcare to go to work. The cost of living keeps rising, so I can’t afford to be a stay-at-home mum,” she said.
Ms Dunn wanted to return to work when her first child was five months old, but she could not get her daughter into childcare until she was 14 months old — only adding to financial burdens.
“You must wait your turn. There is plenty of frustration, but educators here are doing the best they can,” she said.
“The childcare workers need to be paid; accordingly, those educators need a pay rise.”
The demand
Rebecca Hayes, CEO of the District Council of Tumby Bay, said ensuring there was adequate childcare in the regions was a challenge.
Ms Hayes said there was demand across the Eyre Peninsula — from larger cities like Port Lincoln and Whyalla, to more regional areas like Tumby Bay, Cummins and Streaky Bay.
She said Tumby Bay was not at the level to have a commercial enterprise — 60 people was the benchmark — so government subsidies were needed.
“There needs to be the realisation by state and federal governments that small local councils, while we will do whatever we can to support childcare growth and opportunities, are limited by budgets,” Ms Hayes said.
“We can’t fund these kinds of enterprises.”