No more subsidised childcare for non-working parents?

[Busy-Bee]

There are a lot of parents out there who have no support networks other than child care. There are also a lot of children out there who get a huge benefit from attending child care 1 to 2 days a week.

I'm also wondering where these jobs are supposed to be coming from. I put DD in child car 1 day a week. Was I supposed to find a job where I would work 1 day a week on that day???

[BbBbBh]

And let's hope it takes into account the children who are in care because mum has pnd or an illness which limits their babies being socialised

[Little Ted]

Does volunteer work count? I haven't been able to land a job, so I volunteer.

[Frankenmum]

Does volunteer work count? I haven't been able to land a job, so I volunteer.

I think it would have to count. There was mention of an 'Activity Statement', maybe that's what they'll do to cover volunteer work and studying, etc?

[delirium]

This is cost cutting in two levels. Firstly they save money from SAHM's then they push them out of using CC, which means they don't have to fund more places. On one hand I understand that the tax payer can't be expected to fund unlimited CC for SAHM's. But in reality, it was only 2 days a week and many use that for mental health and emotional reasons.

I see this forcing more and more women into PND and isolation. SAHM's provide tangible and non tangible value to society. And what about women that are working, but under the 15 hours. What about a single mum working 12 hours a week around study and small kids? Well she'll be back on full time payments bc her 12 hours have now become completely untenable.

[harvs]

So...

I think I am thinking myself in circles.

It's the subsidies, not the places that are being cut, right? Because priority has always been given to working parents afaik.

I'm guessing the theory is that those families with a non-working parent can 'afford' to only have one parent working and therefore don't need the subsidy?

I thought both parents always had to meet the work/study criteria to qualify for CCR anyway?

Confused. I've read the article like three times but my brain is fuzzy.

[RaraMum]

How is this okay!? I dont have a child in daycare as I only work part time from home so I keep DD here with me but I'd love to give her the social interaction of going. I doubt my 5 or so hours a week (sometimes 5 hours a fortnight) of bookwork for a local company would make the hours cut. What about finding work, some mums have been out of the workforce for years or never really established a career before starting a family. What about job shortages or woman living in areas that the only jobs available are in labour type positions (im in no way saying a woman cant do it but some women can't or don't want to), what about areas like my old town where the only jobs available to adults (so not entry level as these usually always go to teens or school leavers) require a degree or several years of study. The whole thing is crap.

-- Sorry for raging, another thread and this torrential rain has me cranky and ranty.

[delirium]

So...

I think I am thinking myself in circles.

It's the subsidies, not the places that are being cut, right? Because priority has always been given to working parents afaik.

I'm guessing the theory is that those families with a non-working parent can 'afford' to only have one parent working and therefore don't need the subsidy?

I thought both parents always had to meet the work/study criteria to qualify for CCR anyway?

Confused. I've read the article like three times but my brain is fuzzy.

My understanding is they are merging the CCR and CCB, obviously the latter being for SAHM's into one rebate that is for only over 15 hours a week. So yes, SAHM's never met CCR criteria but got CCB. Which they will lose.

[joalisha]

My 4.5yo will missed out on her 1 day a week at pre school if they bring this in, I can't afford to pay full fees $95 a day! The only reason she goes is her speech therapist said it would help her & with her being so shy it will help build her confidence! Hope they don't take that away from her- btw all her friends & cousins are now at school so no play dates for us!!

[AdornedWithCats]

That's what I thought immediately delirium when I heard of the change. It will force people to work more part time hours or be forced to quit if they can't.

I don't even know what we are eligable for atm let alone with the changes as I'm a postgrad student. We need 6hrs/ 1day a week care but can't afford a full day of long day care. No where really caters for what we need. That's if there were any vacancies in our area anyway. :/