An over reliance on grandparents to help care for young children is exposing weaknesses in Australia's current labour market and childcare policies, argues Myra Hamilton.
We need a more holistic discussion about expanding and improving early-childhood education opportunities, developing clear links to paid parental leave, and promoting genuinely flexible employment, write Deb Brennan and Sam Crosby.
A new McKell Institute report shows Australia is being left behind by other developed nations that treat childcare as a vital early education opportunity, and not simply ‘babysitting’ for mothers returning to the workforce.
A pilot program to subsidise nanny services has the potential to improve support for families currently unable to access mainstream childcare services, writes Elizabeth Adamson.
Canberra needs to think very carefully before responding to the Productivity Commission’s report into childcare and early childhood learning, write Deb Brennan and Elizabeth Adamson.
The Productivity Commission has put UNSW research at the centre of its proposed childcare overhaul, adopting key principles from a Social Policy Research Centre submission in its review.
Despite moves towards gender equality, women are still spending six more hours a day than men on household chores and childcare, according to research by Associate Professor Lyn Craig.
