Make Care Fair – the cost of not having affordable and flexible childcare

By Amy Lyden, Australian Businesswomen’s Network Advocacy Advisor

Recently I met with two fellow advocates for greater affordable and flexible childcare.

Roxanne Elliott is the Founder of www.careforkids.com.au, a wonderful online resource for parents including a childcare vacancy alert. Roxanne has conducted the CareforKids.com.au Annual Child Care and Workforce Participation Survey for the past six years.

 

Here are some key findings:

• 1/ 4 of women returning to work after having children say working simply isn’t viable (because of the high cost of childcare), but choose to work for independence and keeping “in the game”
• 40% pay over $300 per week in childcare costs and 25% pay $200-$300 per week
• 76% believe they should not have to pay fees on a public holiday when no care is provided
• For those claiming the child care rebate (CCR), 82% said the 50% rebate level (which came into effect in 2008) has made a significant impact on the affordability of childcare
• 94% believe that all legitimate childcare should be tax deductible (family day care, registered care)
• 80% also believe you should be able to claim the same benefit for registered nannies

Impact

OK – so it sounds expensive and we get that people want greater flexibility around deductibility and options. But what is the impact of expensive and inaccessible childcare?

I met with Jen Dalitz, Founder of Sphinxx, a social enterprise committed to the advancement of women as leaders. Jen established the “Make Care Fair” campaign earlier this year when she personally experienced frustration at the lack of affordable support available for families with children. Jen’s extensive research on this topic found tremendous impact on both a women’s career and economic standing, as well as impact on workplace participation and the Australian economy overall:

Impact on women:

• 48% of woman said the cost of childcare negatively hit their career, but not their partner’s career
• 72% of women said their partner’s career had not been held back at all
• (This creates a earning deficit between partners and it’s quite often the woman who forgoes her earning power and therefore ends up with less superannuation and assets overall.)

Impact on workplace participation and the Australian economy:

• For every AUD$1 the Government might spend on childcare, the Government would get back AUD$1.86 in revenue from the improved workforce participation rate
• 51% say one parent would have to quit their job if the costs of childcare increase
• 50% of parents would increase their hours of work if care was more affordable
• Affordability of childcare influenced the departures of 64% of employed parents from the workforce
• 60% of carers who do not work would return to the workforce if care was more affordable

Note to the Australian Government: It is good for the economy for women to be in the workforce.

OK – there is a case here, but what can I do?

Please sign the Make Care Fair petition here.

Having access to affordable and flexible childcare will benefit ALL Australians.

MORE GREAT BLOG POSTS BY AMY LYDEN

• “Balance is B*llsh*t”
• Budget Impacts for Small Business and Working Families
• Managing yourself for HIGH Performance

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Amy Lyden - Advocacy Advisor – Australian Businesswomen’s Network An entrepreneur and specialist in ecommerce and online strategy, Amy has had over 13 years of practical experience in these areas. Launching her first website in 1998 Amy was at the forefront of an online revolution without even realizing it. Within a year this site became and remains today a #1 ranking site and global community of pet lovers that attracts over 4 million visitors a year. This Australia-based business, Bow Wow Meow, now sells product online to over 100 countries worldwide. Amy sold this business in 2007 and turned her energy to the nonprofit sector. Amy is currently the CEO of Australian Scholarships Foundation, an organisation that facilitates scholarships for education and training for people who work in the nonprofit sector. Amy is the recipient of numerous business awards including the 2006 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards for Innovation, the 2002 National Telstra Business Award and the Leading Women Entrepreneurs of the World Grant. Amy is an Ambassador and former Chairperson for the Australian Businesswomen’s Network, an organisation that supports female entrepreneurs. Amy was also invited to serve on the Commonwealth Small Business Council, an initiative by the Federal minister for Small Business. Amy has been profiled in the following books: “Women’s Business, Women’s Wealth” by Amanda Ellis, “Female Entrepreneurs,” by Leiza Clark and “Secrets of Female Entrepreneurs Exposed!” by Dale Beaumont. Amy is passionate about using technology to connect people globally for positive change. Email: amy.lyden@gmail.com Twitter: @amylyden LinkedIn: Amy Lyden Member Profile: See Amy’s Member Profile