A new survey is uncovering a chronic lack of childcare options in Heathcote.
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The survey is being undertaken by the Community Child Care Association, after a group of locals came together to improve childcare options for parents.
Early survey results include descriptions of parents travelling to Bendigo, Kilmore and Seymour to find appropriate childcare.
Some said that once they had dropped their children off, they had to immediately turn around and travel back to Heathcote to start their working day.
Heathcote mother Sarah Schroeder said she had completed the survey and encouraged others to do so.
She said the lack of options made it hard for many parents to find work, especially if they could not fall back on their families to babysit.
She recently thought about returning to work after taking time off to care for her 17-month-old son.
“I was looking at options but it would have been too difficult to work and find care for my son. I know lots of other people in similar situations,” she said.
Ainslie Sefton is a spokeswoman for the group of employer representatives and members of the public who commissioned the survey.
Ms Sefton said right now there were only a handful of services available in Heathcote.
“There’s almost nothing here. There’s a play group which takes place a couple of days a week, for a couple of hours … there’s a kindergarten program for 3 and four-year-olds,” she said.
“(And) there is one family day care provider who is qualified to care for children in their home.”
She said despite having two primary schools, Heathcote had no before or after-school programs. There were few options for care during school holidays.
Ms Sefton said the survey would help the working group understand parents’ needs. It could also be the first step to build a case for government to fund more services.
Ms Sefton said the survey is being funded by Mandalay Resources, a major local employer hoping to provide opportunities for its workers.
She said other employers were also involved in the working party, hoping to attract more young workers to the region.
To fill out the survey, click here.
Paper copies are also available at the Community House, Heathcote Primary, Heathcote Preschool, Heathcote Health and Mandalay Resources’ general office.
The survey closes on Friday March 18.
