Care crisis for busy families - Herald Sun

A CRITICAL shortage of before and after school care places is crippling working families, with some parents forced to rely on tennis clubs and dance classes as alternative babysitters.

The problem is acute on Sydney's lower north shore, where parents say the overcrowding crisis at 19 primary schools has engulfed local out-of-school-hours (OOSH) services and pushed waiting lists out to two years.

The Daily Telegraph understands there is an average of 14 OOSH places for every 100 students across 12 schools in the middle harbour area, with newly enrolled kindergarten children the most likely to miss out.

Artarmon parent Annabelle Taggart said desperate families were relying on activities such as tennis and dance lessons as alternative care providers. "It's not accredited childcare, it's an alternative, and none of these providers have to adhere to the quality framework guidelines," she said.

"That's probably OK if you're a Year 6 child or even a Year 4 child but as four- and five-year-olds that's a risk."

Network of Community Activities chief Robyn Monro Miller said there was a shortage across the state, with Newcastle, Parramatta and the Sutherland Shire also experiencing high demand.

Capacity is affected by the ability of operators to lease enough buildings and playground space from principals and also finding enough trained staff to meet the legal requirement of one worker for every 15 children, she said.

OOSH centres can be run by parent committees, businesses and councils in a variety of venues, including schools, but are not the responsibility of the Education Department and principals are not required to make space available.

Marketing executive Michelle Hood said she contacted four OOSH centres on the lower north shore before finding a place for son Jack, 7, two years ago.

Jack and five-year-old brother Tom attend Willoughby Public School, which does not have an OOSH centre on site. She said the shortage of OOSH care spots was in sharp contrast to the abundance of daycare options for younger children.

"The government is encouraging me back into the workforce," she said.

"But when the children get to school age I am completely alone, there are so few places available and no help at all."

Willoughby Mayor Pat Reilly said the issue had reached "crisis point", where waiting lists are so long they have been closed off.