Childcare places sit empty in the regions as report lands
A state parliamentary inquiry has made 43 findings and 37 recommendations including targeted strategies for rural and regional services.
A NEW parliamentary report has found childcare places across regional Victoria are sitting empty because providers cannot recruit enough qualified educators.
The Select Committee on the Early Childhood Education and Care Sector in Victoria tabled its final report in state parliament on Tuesday September 8, making 43 findings and 37 recommendations.
It found regional families and providers were bearing the brunt of workforce shortages, childcare deserts and growing bureaucracy.
State Eastern Victoria MP Melina Bath sat on the six-member committee and said many of the sector’s problems were foreseeable and well documented.
“Regional providers continue to go above and beyond for local families despite workforce shortages, increasing red tape and a lack of government planning,” Ms Bath said.
“The inquiry uncovered serious shortcomings, including gaps in Victoria’s Working with Children Check framework that remained unaddressed for years.
“While demand remains strong and waitlists continue to grow, childcare places are sitting vacant because providers cannot recruit enough qualified educators.”
Among the recommendations are targeted strategies for services in rural and regional Victoria, a national commission to coordinate governments, better pay and training for educators and an assessment of whether fast-tracked qualifications are fit for purpose.
The committee also called for stronger guidance and reporting from regulators, changes to compliance requirements and better training for educators caring for children with disabilities and complex medical needs.
Ms Bath, who is also shadow minister for Aboriginal affairs, said the report pointed to the need for stronger accountability, a sustainable workforce and targeted support for vulnerable groups including Aboriginal children and families.
The committee recommended working with First Nations groups to support services led by Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations.
“Local childcare providers played a vital role in enriching the committee’s understanding of the challenges facing regional Victoria, and I thank them for their valuable contributions,” Ms Bath said.
The inquiry was established last year to examine safety and quality standards across the sector, the oversight of educator training and qualifications, staff-to-child ratios and the effect of Victoria’s largely privatised system on cost and access.
An interim report tabled in April drew on 99 submissions and five days of public hearings.
The final report is on the Victorian Parliament website.
