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.