The number of children who have to spend more than 50 hours a week in childcare centres is growing as parents are forced to work longer hours in order to make ends meet.
News Corporation in Australia reported that 40241 children used longer childcare services for more than 50 hours a week in the second quarter of this year-equivalent to more than 10 hours a day-up 17 percent from 34275 in the previous quarter.
Childcare fees also continued to rise, with fees per hour up 3.6 percent from the second quarter of 2016, while fees for all child care services, including pre-school and after-school care, rose 2.7 percent on average.
However, the cost growth rate has fallen sharply since 2009, when it was 12.9 percent.
According to the Federal government`s Summary of early Childhood Care, 5.9 percent of all children with long day care stay in child care centres for 50 hours or more a week.
That compares with 4.9% in the first quarter.
According to the data, another 12.7% of children spend 40 hours a week in nursery care for 50 hours, and 23.1% spend 30 hours a week for 40 hours.
In June 2016, 123,489 children in long-term care spent more than 40 hours a week, up 2.7 percent from the latest June 2017 figure of 126,863.
The report also found it difficult for parents to access holiday care during school holidays. In June 2015, only 72 percent of child care providers said they had seats available, compared with 67 percent in the latest quarter of June 2017.
On average, parents pay 9.20 yuan per hour for long day care, 8.80 yuan per hour for family day care, 10.25 yuan per hour for temporary child care, and 7.20 yuan per hour for care services outside school hours.
Education Secretary Simon Birmingham (Simon Birmingham) said nursery fee growth was at its lowest level in a decade.
`over the past decade, the average increase in fees for childcare services has been 6.7%, and it has peaked at 14.6% under the Labour Party,`he said. `our families have already felt the pain.
"government has been trying to keep costs under control and because we know that childcare costs are under pressure on the family budget, we are on the verge of providing more help."
The Parenthood acting president Lacio (Nicole Lessio) said parents work longer and longer, leaving their children to stay longer in child care.
"parents work longer and longer to cope with their daily expenses, so it is no wonder that children stay longer and longer in nursery care."
Social demographer Salter (Bernard Salt) says the increase in long-term care for children indicates a rise in employment. "I think the 17 percent surge is in line with the significant increase in employment we are seeing," he said. "it`s good or bad for children," Salter said. "it depends on the quality of childcare facilities. Of course, if the family budget has more money, it will make a big difference in their lives."
News Corp also revealed that Australian families saved 22.9 yuan between March 2016 and March 2017 by asking grandparents to take care of their children.
About nine hundred thousand 12-year-old Australian children are taken care of by their grandparents instead of taking part in formal day care-saving their parents a fortune, according to finder.com.au `s analysis of (ABS), the Australian Bureau of Statistics.
Nearly 1/4 (23%) of children under the age of four are taken care of by grandparents rather than day care, according to the study.
For more information on how the new child care grant introduced on July 1 affects your tax rebate and home, visit www.education.gov.au/childcare
