We have published our 2023 Independent Market Monitor Review Final Report
IPART was commissioned by the Minister to undertake an independent market monitoring review (IMMR) on the childcare sector market under section 5(1) of the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund Act 2022 (the Act).
- We were asked to identify and review areas of NSW where:
- there are childcare supply shortages, or
- there are higher barriers to parents or carers participating in work because of the affordability or accessibility, or both, of childcare, and
- review the state of the childcare sector, including:
- workforce
- pay and conditions
- quality standards in the childcare sector.
We also reviewed the state of the sector including workforce, pay and conditions and quality standards.
Our review findings provide a baseline for measuring progress
Our Final Report provides insights and information into the NSW childcare sector market for the NSW Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund Board to consider in developing strategic investment plans for its activities.
As this was the first IMMR review, it will also provide a baseline against which to measure the progress of the Childcare and Economic Opportunity Fund towards achieving its objectives in future.
Key findings of our review were:
- Workforce shortages are impacting the supply of early childhood education and care services.
- Demand for early childhood education and care is projected to grow in urban areas of NSW.
- There is a correlation between undersupply of early childhood education and care places and socioeconomic disadvantage.
- Families on low incomes face the highest affordability barriers to early childhood education and care services.
- A number of factors can intersect to result in accessibility barriers to early childhood education and care services.
- A qualified workforce is key to the supply of ECEC services.
- Staff experience is related to high quality early childhood education and care.