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 expemtions as suitable staff remain scarce.

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.

For more, pick up a copy of today's Canberra Times