Suggested changes which would allow staff to child ratios to be averaged, potentially across a week, and lower education standards for carers are set to be challenged at Productivity Commission hearings in Canberra on Monday and Tuesday.

Civic Early Childhood Centre director Tammi Walton said the current qualifications standards - which since January have required educators working with children aged three and under to have a diploma - should be protected.

"Those with certificate III are less skilled, it means a lower quality, lower safety standards, less intervention," Ms Walton said.

"A certificate III education is not able to pick up on a special need a child may have, they may not pick up on illnesses."

The pregnant mother of three, who has spent 12 years in the industry, said she would tell the commission its suggestion to remove "real time" ratios would place carers in difficult positions.

Avis Kerr, long-time director of Nicholls Early Learning Centre, agreed.

"You only have one pair of eyes, one pair of hands. How long is a child going to have to wait to have its nappy changed, to be fed, to be put to bed?" Ms Kerr said.

The commission will hear from a range of organisations including the Australian Nanny Association, The Parenthood support group, UnitingCare, Goodstart Early Learning and the Cultural Au Pair in Australia Association.

The commission's draft recommendations, released last month, suggest the government should take into consideration "the uncertainty surrounding the additional benefits of more staff and higher qualifications". They would also create a single means-tested childcare subsidy.

The draft report said the government spends about $7 billion a year on early childhood education and care, and for the vast majority of families federal subsidies cover more than half of their fees.

Ms Kerr said the commission was missing the heart of the sector's problem.

"The report is looking for cheap options, easy options, delaying tactics -- childcare in Australia is in crisis, and the only way it can be fixed is money," she said.

Submissions to the inquiry can be made until September 5, with the final report to be handed to the government by the end of October.