Number of kids in Child Care hits one million

Media Release.

New figures have confirmed the number of children receiving child care services in Australia has hit one million for the first time, Early Childhood and Child Care Minister Kate Ellis said today.

Ms Ellis said the latest quarterly snapshot was further evidence that the Gillard Government's measures to improve child care affordability were working - that includes the decision not to means test the child care rebate.

"This is a very strong result and a testament to the Government's work in building a more affordable, accessible and higher quality child care sector," Ms Ellis said.

"The number of children receiving child care across Australia has increased by nearly 20,000 in just one quarter and nearly four per cent over the year."

"Make no mistake, there is still plenty of work to do to increase the availability of child care in many locations but this result is encouraging."

In addition to increases in children, the number of approved child care services across Australia increased by more than 600 over the year to 15,147.

There were increases across every form of child care, from long day care to outside school hours care.

Also, the number of families using approved child care services increased by more than 20,000 over the year to 726,130.

Ms Ellis said the new statistics meant the Labor Government had increased the total number of children in child care by more than 200,000 since coming to office.

"That achievement alone would equate to tens of thousands of parents being able to return to the workforce and pay off their mortgages more quickly," she said.

"That's great for families and great for the economy."

More than a quarter of all children aged up to 12 years were now receiving child care.

Ms Ellis said the Government had paved the way through a range of measures, particularly the major increase in the Child Care Rebate.

"Our Government is investing a record $22.1 billion in direct child care assistance to parents over the next four years, more than triple that of the former Coalition Government," she said.

"Our decision to increase the Child Care Rebate from 30 per cent to 50 per cent of out-of-pocket costs, and increase the cap on the rebate from $4354 to $7500 per child per year, continues to reduce the cost to families."

"Importantly too, only Labor has committed to not means test the rebate so that all families are receiving vital fee assistance.

"We've also moved to increase quality care standards so parents can have peace of mind knowing their child is receiving the best care and attention."

The Child Care Update (September Quarter 2012) can be found at www.deewr.gov.au.