Digging Deeper | Part 1: A look into the childcare crisis - a mother’s perspective

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Malcolm Walters is one of many children across the Goulburn Valley who are still waiting for a childcare spot. Photo by Kate Walters

In this week's episode, The News’ Nicola Ceccato looks into the childcare crisis affecting the region.

Many parents around the Goulburn Valley are struggling to enrol their children in childcare with year long wait lists and no guarantee of a spot for many.

The News Kate Walters, who has been covering this issue, is not exempt from the crisis, as a parent herself struggling to attain childcare for her youngest.

Kate Walters shares her perspective on the childcare crisis as both a journalist covering the issue and as a mother. Photo by Rechelle Zammit

In this week’s episode, she discusses the specific struggles she’s had in gaining childcare, some of the systemic issues that exist when applying for subsidies and time availability for kinder.

Next week, Nicola will be chatting with the CEO of Goulburn Region Preschool Association, Ronni Druitt for her perspective on the crisis and the systemic issues that exist within the industry that further disadvantage childcare availability in the region.

Listen to Kate’s full episode below.

Links mentioned in podcast:

Gender and educational patterns in the demand and supply of grandparent childcare in Australia study

Mapping the deserts: Childcare accessibility in Australia

Productivity Commission into early childhood education and care

Local member says better access to childcare needed in regional towns | Shepparton News