My wife and I have both lived in Australia for a decade now and became citiens a couple of years ago. We had a little boy last November and (despite warnings from friends who had experienced similar problems) have been amazed by the scarcity of childcare places in such a wealthy country.
We had Charlie’s name down on at least six preschool lists before he was even born. Neither of us has family here so Denise will not be able to go back to work until we find somewhere. The plan is that she will go back to work in July but we are realistic enough to know that a space may not become available until the end of the year.
If that happens we will manage, but it seems bizarre to me that we and other parents in similar circumstances are struggling to find a solution to such a basic need.
We are in Surry Hills but have looked at surrounding inner west and eastern suburbs. Is this a localised problem or are parents in other cities facing the same problem?