Farming Families Leaving Town Over Lack Of Childcare

Rural families are leaving the bush because they can't get childcare for their kids.

Data* shows nearly a quarter (24%) of regions are classified as a "childcare desert".

Kirsty Starling is a mother, nurse, sheep and beef farmer from Kingston, South Australia.

She's part of a movement that's been fighting for childcare for more than 40 years.

"We want access and we want choice for our children," she said.

When my children were young, our local rural care service had a waitlist of over 35 families.

"Families in my local town have been fighting for child care for over 40 years. Intergenerational women have suffered and so have their families."

Families have taken to social media to ask for an equal go for their kids.

Organisations like the Isolated Children's Parents' Association, The Parenthood, GrainGrowers, the National Farmers' Federation , and independent politicians, have all added their voices to the calls.

They've implored all sides of politics to commit to the $1 billion Building Early Education Fund, ahead of the election.

The fund, recently announced by the Federal Government, will bankroll the creation of more than 160 new childcare centres in areas of most need.

GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said farming families' futures depended on the Building Early Education Fund.

"This is about ensuring country kids get the same head start in life as city kids," Ms Gawel said.

"We know that quality early learning is critical for cognitive development, social skills, and school readiness.

"We need our elected politicians and candidates to commit to these vital services."

Kirsty Starling says the current childcare system is failing rural families.

Farming families need out of the box solutions to resolve this issue. There is no one size fits all.

"Isolated and station families need unique solutions. They cannot travel to centre based daycare because of the distances they will need to travel and their geographic location kept them more isolated.

"They need access to subsidies with in home care solutions. A postcode should not determine a child's future and access to education, but often it does.

"Rural areas are begging to be heard. It's time to listen."

Further resources