2. The childcare deserts

When is a choice not a choice? Almost a quarter of Australia’s population is now living in a ‘childcare desert’ - and this scarcity means that many families’ financial and work schedules hinge on being offered a childcare spot in the first place.

In this episode, we hear from real parents and experts about the near-impossible workarounds for families who can’t access suitable childcare and can’t afford not to work: from regional mum Kelly, who forked out for a private carer when the local childcare refused her son full days of care, to agricultural workers taking their kids to work on the farm.

• At What Cost is an FW podcast in partnership with The Parenthood, a not-for-profit with a mission to make Australia the best place in the world to be a parent and raise a child. Join 80,000 other parents and carers today
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