UnitingCare Australia expresses concern with the Government’s response to yesterday’s release of the 1999 ABS Child Care Census Data. Unfortunately, Acting Minister for Family and Community Services Larry Anthony’s comment that the preliminary census results were proof of the Coalition Government’s "better child care management" is naive.

"Behind the figures is a starker reality for many families, particularly those on low to middle incomes," said Ms Libby Davies, National Director of UnitingCare Australia. "Research recently undertaken by UnitingCare Australia clearly shows that many families accessing community based long day care are feeling the pinch. Increased fees, a direct result of this Government’s decision to remove operational subsidies to centres, are forcing families to opt for a form of child care not of their choice."

" ‘Affordability and accessibility’ are key catch cries of Mr Anthony, but our research indicates that accessibility to care of choice is only affordable if the family’s income is substantial", Ms Davies said. "Our survey of community based child care centres in NSW, Queensland and Victoria revealed the various ways in which families are now trying to cope:

One third of all responding parents experienced hardship in meeting increased fees after the 1 July 1997 removal of operational subsidy. 22% had subsequently reduced the amount of time their children were in long day care, and made alternative arrangements - notably a complex mix of long day care and other types of care such as family day care or utilising the support of neighbours or relatives.

20% made various changes to their working arrangements in order to be able to afford fees - increasing working hours; decreasing both working and care hours; adding weekend work; or restructuring working times so both partners could take more of an at-home caring role."

The observations of child care centre staff underlined the difficulties many families are now facing. 91% of staff respondents noted a significant increase in the number of part-time places, and commented on the impact on children’s stability, and the difficulty of maintaining consistent, continuous care. Other impacts of recent funding cuts and policy changes included reduced time and resources for program planning and professional development, and a reduction in some ancillary services such as nappy service or meals provision.

"All of these factors have considerable repercussions for families who are struggling to find the best care for their children, and the optimal balance between work and family responsibilities. Once again, statistics have been used to hide the reality," Ms Davies said.