Too many babies not enough carers

The need for more carer in childcare is not new. The population is growing and in order to accept most of the demands, there is no choice but too have less carer for more babies.

This means carers have less time for each babies but do they really have a choice? The ratio for children under two needs to be reduced but is there really enough carers around to support this argument?

Childcare centres have always been crowded and the waiting lists huge. The demand is certainly important and centres are already reduced to eight babies per room.

As Creche and Kindergarten Association of Queensland chief executive officer Barrie Elvish says the new ratio would reduce the number to six babies per room and consequently more families are going to miss out.

Right now, some families are already missing out because of the high demand, so what would be the consequences of this new ratio? Families will have to keep their babies at home and wait before going back to work.

As Child Care Queensland vice-president Peter Price says the ratio would cost more to families.

“The private shock is that they don’t receive any sort of government subsidy at all so it’s a cost that would be borne totally by the parents,” he says.

The Government is said to invest in the sector concerning the prices but what about the demand this new ratio would create?

My main concern is that nothing in this article speaks about whether or not this would be possible not only for the centres but would there be enough carers to support this new regulation?

By Lucie Prost