Hawkesbury a ‘ childcare desert ’
Hawkesbury doesn ’ t fare well in the latest comprehensive report into national childcare accessibility by Mitchell Institute at Victoria University .
More than nine million Australians live in an area where there are insufficient childcare places for families , Hawkesbury has approximately 7.16 children per place available , just under triple the state average of 2.55 children per place .
The landmark report Deserts and Oases : How accessible is childcare in Australia ? maps out the shortage of childcare services across every neighbourhood in the country and compares it to the socioeconomic status of communities and female workforce participation .
The Australian-first report found that 28 per cent of metropolitan and 52 per cent of regional Australians live in areas considered ‘ childcare deserts ’; where three or more children under four years of age were vying for every one childcare space available .
Shockingly , one million Australians have no access to childcare .
The research found childcare places were concentrated in the wealthiest areas and close to major job centres , with a
Not enough childcare places in Hawkesbury .
correlation between areas with higher childcare fees and childcare availability . Greater numbers of women with a child under five were in the workforce in locations where more childcare places were available .
Lead author Dr Peter Hurley said the shortage of childcare places was a concern for both the economy and children ’ s early development .
“ There is a huge body of evidence showing the positive long-term impacts produced by high-quality early learning in setting children up for success as they transition to school , with the benefits continuing throughout their life ,” he said .
“ Children from disadvantaged backgrounds benefit the most , but our research shows these children are the ones most likely to live in an area with a shortage of childcare places .”
To read the report , visit vu . edu . au / mitchell-institute .
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THE HAWKESBURY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 143 // APRIL 2022 37