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Danny O'Brien launches 'Access to childcare in Gippsland South survey' seeking feedback from parent on local childcare accessibility and concerns

Danny O'Brien, Nationals Member for Gippsland South, seeks feedback on local childcare access via an online survey. The goal is to gather evidence for the Allan Labor government to improve childcare availability.

By news@gippsland - 7th August 2024 - Back to News

The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O'Brien is seeking feedback on how access to local childcare is impacting local families, especially women. Mr O'Brien has launched an online survey asking parents to provide feedback on their experiences with attempting to access local childcare in response to ongoing feedback that there are not enough childcare places available locally.

The 'Access to childcare in Gippsland South' survey aims to understand local childcare issues and gather evidence for the Allan Labor government to find solutions

Regional families impact

Mr O'Brien said, "I am well-aware that accessing reliable and affordable childcare is a high priority for families with preschool aged children and that doing so is not always easy in regional areas like Gippsland. The purpose of this survey is to not only gain a better understanding of how this problem is impacting local families, but to gather evidence to present to the Allan Labor government as we look for solutions to improve the situation."

Mr O'Brien said data released from Victoria University's Mitchell Institute in 2022 showed large gaps in the provision of childcare across rural and regional communities, including much of Gippsland South. "This study, which classified communities as a childcare 'desert' or an 'oasis', depending on the availability of care, showed most towns in Gippsland South were a desert with either no childcare service or too few places available to meet potential demand."

"Many smaller rural communities have no childcare at all - including no local family day-care options. Even larger towns in Gippsland South like Sale and Leongatha don't have enough childcare services to cater for the number of children who live there," said Mr O'Brien.

Regional child care challenges

Mr O'Brien said the study revealed that a family trying to access childcare in Leongatha would have up to 2.24 children competing for that same place while Sale would see 3.57 children competing for a place. "This figure only grows larger as you move out to more rural communities. We are fortunate to have some really great childcare providers in Gippsland South, but many parents, especially mothers, are not able to return to work simply because they can't get care."

"This holds back many women who are seeking to get back into the workforce, especially given today's cost-of-living crisis. The ability for parents to return to work is crucial for our regional economy here in Gippsland."

"If we don't have these services, young people who want to raise their family in the country will struggle. I am committed to working with our communities to improve the access local people have to childcare," he said. Mr O'Brien's survey can be completed online at Danny O'Brien MP website.

Pictures from Danny O'Brien MP Facebook page.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com