THE NUMBER of child-care centres in the ACT seeking exemptions from tough new staffing requirements has dramatically increased in recent months as operators struggle to find qualified employees.
Since May, 43 temporary reprieves have been granted as operators try to recruit staff or fill holes left by employees on leave.
The Canberra Times reported in July that 15 exemptions had been granted since new standards came into force in February, and the number has since almost tripled.
The exemptions, ranging from one to six months, have largely been issued to operators unable to field one qualified staff member among every two primary contact staff. And several child-care centres have been forced to apply for consecutive exemptions as suitable staff remain scarce.
The ACT Government has said the number of exemptions is comparable to last year, with the increase proportionate to the number of operating centres.
The most recent waivers started last week, two days before Early Childhood Australia launched a national campaign for tougher standards, better child-staff ratios and better qualified staff.
The Federal Government has said staffing ratios forcing centres to employ one staff for every three children would increase health and safety standards.
Many in the industry fear this would place further burden on operators struggling to find staff.
For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times
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