The national debate over childcare costs has dominated headlines for weeks and months, with some blaming the government for failing to do more to help families cope with rising costs.
While there has been plenty of coverage of how families are struggling to cope, there has also been a focus on how the government is failing to offer support to families.
There is a growing body of research showing that the lack of support is making it harder for families to cope with their children’s needs.
What is childcare?
‘Caring for your child’ A childcare system is a family-friendly environment where children can attend after-school and weekend classes and attend school at home, with school-aged children at the centre.
It is designed to help young people who are struggling financially and who want to make the transition into adulthood.
The Australian Institute of Family Studies (AIFSS) says childcare is one of the best ways to support young people and young families who are still adjusting to their new lives and needs.
This is especially important for families with young children who are at higher risk of unemployment or disability.
While childcare may be the most popular type of childcare, it is not the only type of care.
Some older Australians, for example, can choose to work from home.
It also allows for the more traditional role of caring for children and families.
The ABC understands there are other types of childcare options in Australia, such as daycares, but they tend to be more expensive and more time-consuming.
For many families, the main childcare option is provided by a family member.
This can be the primary carer, a carer-in-charge or a family friend.
It can also be a local childcare provider or another provider with a separate child-care facility.
How do I pay for childcare?
For many Australians, childcare costs have been the biggest barrier to accessing more secure, affordable and quality childcare.
Some families choose to pay for the childcare by themselves.
Other families pay for it by using a range of payment options, such to a child tax credit or child maintenance payment.
There are also other payment options that can be used for childcare, such the family payments or the child benefits.
The payment options are usually a mix of: payments for childcare expenses