Childcare fees are stopping these families from working. Here’s what could help

Mother of two Jana Firestone says she isn’t asking for handouts.

“We don’t expect to be given a free ride,” she tells ABC RN’s Life Matters, but says her childcare centre’s fees became “simply impossible” to pay when they were increased earlier this year to $157 per child, per day.

She and her partner reluctantly pulled their children out of childcare, dropping a day of work each to care for them.

“Unfortunately for our kids, that means they miss out on the place that they love the most,” Ms Firestone says.

She wants to see families better supported, so they can balance earning a wage with paying for care.

“We know that by taking them out of childcare, not only is it impacting us in our careers, it’s impacting our kids, and it’s just not…