More babies in care as both parents go to work

Babies are being placed in childcare younger than ever as parents return to work and study sooner.
Auckland centres licensed for children under 1 year report full baby rooms and longer waiting lists.
Enquiries to inner Auckland Uptown Kids Ltd used to be spread evenly for under-2 and over 2-year-olds, but manager April Turner said the under-2s have overtaken the older group in the past six months. "Most of our parents are working," she said.
Wendy Doland, of Everglade Early Learning Centre in Manukau City, says she's had to open a waiting list for the first time in her two years as manager. Last year she also noticed a surge in enrolments of 3-to-6-month-olds.
"In Auckland, I think, there's more pressure on families to return to work. To live here now you need one-and-a-half good incomes."
Official figures reveal the extent of the trend.

Childcare 'costs less' under coalition

Childcare fees have increased 22 per cent under 10 years of coalition rule, less than half the rise under eight years of Labor government, the federal government says.
New figures from the Child Care Census, released by the government show the real cost of childcare fees has increased $41.89 since 1996.
But in the previous eight years of Labor government, the real cost of child care fees rose 47 per cent, or $60.75.
"The Labor party is in no position to attack the Coalition on child care fees given its appalling record when in office," Families Minister Mal Brough said in a statement.
Labor's families spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said earlier that child care costs had increased more than the price of bananas and fuel over the past five years.