Government-funded places in outside school hours care have
increased nine-fold since 1982, according to a report released
today by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
The report, Outside School Hours Care Services: Australia
1996, shows that 72,000 places were available last year in
before school care, after school care and vacation care, compared
with 7,900 places in 1982.
Report author Paul Meyer said that the large increase in places
was the result of increased emphasis given by governments to these
services since 1988.
'For example, the 1994 National Child Care Strategy, which is
still being implemented, has allocated 40,000 new places to outside
school hours care.'
Mr Meyer said that Outside School Hours Care Services:
Australia 1996 also examines the roles of the Commonwealth,
State and Territory Governments in the provision and delivery of
the various components of outside school hours care.
'We show in the report how national standards, which have been
adopted for the industry, are being implemented by each State and
Territory.'
Other findings in the report include:
- While the national standards specify that half of the labour
force should be qualified, one-third of staff in this sector
presently hold formal qualifications, and a further one-third are
working towards qualifications.
- Some States and Territories have staff to children ratios of
1:10 and 1:12, easily exceeding the national staff ratio standard
of 1:15.
- Most outside school hours services are run by non-profit
organisations, but some vacation care services are now being
offered by commercial enterprises.
20 June 1997
Further information: Paul Meyer, ph. 02 6244
1186 or 04 1923 9581 (mobile).
General media liaison: Lyn Elliott, ph. 02 6244
1034.
For media copies of the report (86pp): Mark
McCarthy, ph. 02 6244 1032.
Availability: Check the AIHW Publications Catalogue
for details.