Joanna Tucker, Yorke Peninsula Country Times

A study by Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute has found childcare accessibility in the federal electorate of Grey to be the worst in Australia.

According to the study, Grey is a childcare desert defined as an area with so few childcare providers available that there are more than three times as many children under the age of 5 as there are spots available (or with at least 30 children under the age of 5 with no providers).

Kadina Child Care Centre director Caren Hammerstein said the centre has 105 children on its waiting list.

“We also have current families still seeking extra days, as well as our casual daily waitlist if anyone is absent on the day,” she said.

“There are so many families seeking positions for their children in  education and care facilities.”

To fix this, the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton is proposing that all 28 councils in Grey form a Regional Childcare Desert Advocacy  Project Working Party to work collaboratively with the South Australian   Regional Organisation of Councils to address deficiencies in child care.

The main responsibilities of the working party would be to develop a scope for the advocacy project and a funding proposal to support its delivery.

The funding proposal would include presentation to SAROC to seek its support, given the wide regional focus of the issue.

Representatives from councils within Grey have met to discuss the proposal, and Copper Coast Council chief executive Dylan Strong said council has supported the project.

“The project will advocate to the SA and Australian Governments to respond to the disproportionate needs in child care across the Grey electorate,” he said.

“Copper Coast is fortunate to have existing childcare services, and council continues to work positively with local providers such as the Kadina Child Care Centre, which has plans for expansion.

“Local childcare waiting lists are growing, and the council is hopeful of a positive announcement regarding Regional Precinct Program funding for the Kadina centre’s planned expansion soon.”

Ms Hammerstein said any help would ensure families could return to work, gain extra days of employment, seek work, study or utilise respite care,  or provide children with the opportunity of access to early learning.

“Any assistance to support the evergrowing demand in our region is beneficial.”

This article appeared in Yorke Peninsula Country Times, 12 June 2024.