A world-first study has found 24 per cent of Australia’s population live in areas classified as ‘childcare deserts’ – where there are more than three children per childcare place, or less than zero.

The ‘International childcare report: Mapping the deserts’ by Victoria University’s Mitchell Institute, shows an overall improvement of about 70,000 in childcare places across Australia.

A previous report ‘Desert and Oases: How accessible is childcare in Australia’ in 2022 showed 34 per cent of Australia’s population lived in childcare deserts.

This year’s report shows Ararat is now ranked the highest in Victoria when it comes to access to childcare.

However the rest of the region is still classified as ‘deserts’.

The report showed: Ararat 1.171 places per child; West Wimmera .0641; Stawell 0.610; Nhill 0.5666; Horsham 0.486; St Arnaud 0.459; and Yarriambiack 0.427.

It’s all part of a massive international study that mapped childcare accessibility across nine nations. It also examined which approaches lead to better and fairer access for families. 

The report found when it comes to accessing childcare, where you live matters. More affluent neighbourhoods
have the best access to childcare.  These are the neighbourhoods that also have higher childcare fees, showing providers are attracted to areas where they can charge more. 

Interestingly, not all nations followthis pattern – Sweden and Norway havesome of the greatest and fairest access, regardless of affluence levels. 

However, in France, England, Wales, and Australia, greater government involvement in the funding is required, and also the locations of childcare equivalent to that of the primary school system to ensure better access in more disadvantaged areas. 

The report confirms universal childcare in Australia won’t happen without substantial changes to the current system. This aligns with what By Five Wimmera Southern Mallee Early Years Initiative executive director Jo Martin pointed out in our page three story. 

Government intervention and leadership is needed on so many levels.

By Five has led the way in making inroads into early education and childcare. But at a higher level, and across Australia, greater action is needed.

Since its inception, By Five has identified and worked with several organisations, including local governments, to strengthen already existing services and help explore new options to better serve our communities.

By Five does not just encourage the provision of services – but high quality services in our region. Ones that benefit our children, families, childcare workers and whole community.

The saying of ‘It takes a village to raise a child’ is evident through By Five’s work – it really is the whole community’s responsibility to ensure our children are receiving the highest quality of care and education, and governments need to lead by example.

RELATED: Call for childcare line of responsibility

The entire September 11, 2024 edition of The Weekly Advertiser is available online. READ IT HERE!