First Nation’s childcare centres are concerned planned changes to funding in the sector could see reduced access for families.
The Federal Government’s Jobs for Families Child Care legislation would require parents to prove they are working, training or studying to classify for more than 12 hours per week of subsidised child care.
The current model is the Budget Based Funding Program which allows Indigenous childcare centres to charge much lower fees. If the legislation passes that would be changed to one that would see them competing with mainstream services for funding.
Deputy Chairwoman of the Secretariat of National Aboriginal and Islander Child Care Geraldine Atkinson says it has predicted a 9 per cent drop in enrollments if the changes go ahead.
