Nurse Samantha Muddle has spent over a year searching for a nanny to care for her son. Meanwhile, in Goondiwindi, more than 200 families are on a waiting list for childcare services, leading to significant disruptions in their daily lives.
The Future Care Project has indicated that the government’s in-home care initiative could alleviate some of these challenges, but it requires modifications to be effective.
Ms. Muddle often holds back her tears until her two-and-a-half-year-old son is asleep, reflecting on the challenges she faces: the loss of her husband, a drought affecting her income, and a childcare crisis that hampers her ability to support her family. “We’ve been through hell, basically,” she expressed.
Since January of the previous year, Ms. Muddle, who works as a nurse, has been on the lookout for childcare for her son. Although funding for in-home care has been approved, there are no available service providers.
Recently, she sold three-quarters of her cattle stock from their 500-acre beef farm in Bonshaw, New South Wales, yet she remains unable to work despite a critical shortage of nurses. “I chose nursing to protect us from droughts and similar issues, but now I can’t even find childcare to enable me to work,” she lamented.
At her “breaking point,” Ms. Muddle is also faced with the difficult decision of whether to use their frozen embryos. “I could go ahead and have them, but that would be irresponsible if I can’t provide for them,” she stated, adding that her late husband had hoped for a second child.
The childcare crisis extends into Goondiwindi, where families may wait up to two years for services. Lucy Walker, who runs a pharmacy in Goondiwindi, explained that her scheduling of 20 female employees is dictated not by business needs, but by the availability of childcare. “It’s a constant struggle… leading to a lot of lost productivity,” she said. “We have wonderfully trained staff, but some days we can offer services, and some days we cannot, which unfortunately results in lower quality care for our patients.”
Nadia Golder, a mother of two and pharmacist at the local hospital, shared her experience of the childcare shortage. “I put my name down everywhere and was quite stressed about whether I’d secure a spot,” she said. Initially, she received less childcare than she needed and had to accept placement in a center that had availability, unlike those in urban areas where families often have more options.
Amelia Coulton, who owns a café and clothing store, found herself in a similar situation, receiving only one day of childcare per week. This prompted her to hire a nanny and pay for private family daycare. “The woman who helps me at home brings her 15-month-old daughter with her since she can’t find daycare for her daughter, and now she herself is struggling to find work,” she explained.
Victoria Gracie, a property valuer, feels fortunate to have family support but acknowledges the creativity required to navigate the childcare crisis. “Many women have had to find innovative ways to make ends meet by starting small businesses or taking on different jobs, but the situation remains quite challenging,” she said, emphasizing the desire for proper care for their children.
Angela Cochrane, founder of the Future Care Project, noted that in-home care could significantly address existing gaps in childcare availability. She described it as a regulated, government-subsidized service taking place in a child’s home, managed by a caregiver operating as a small business. “In-home care should not be viewed as a last resort; that’s how current policies frame it,” she remarked, highlighting the need to enhance the business skills of caregivers to make this option viable.
Jess Walsh, the Early Childhood Education Minister, affirmed that every child deserves access to quality early learning, regardless of their location. She recognized the importance of in-home care for the 800 families utilizing it and assured that efforts would continue to support the workforce in this sector.
Ms. Muddle pointed out that bureaucratic hurdles in the in-home care program mean that many qualified individuals are already engaged in private employment. “Larger operations can afford to hire staff directly, but I cannot and require the childcare subsidy,” she stated. She also noted that caregivers are expected to handle administrative tasks outside of paid hours, which adds to their burden.
Until a resolution is reached, Ms. Muddle recognizes that her primary focus must remain on her son. “If I don’t keep going, then my son won’t be okay, and that’s my top priority,” she concluded.
