PARENTS are ecstatic over the federal governments $246 million announcement to support nanny home care services. Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis said it would be great news for South Coast families if the two-year Nanny Pilot Program went ahead in 2016.

This program is ideal for parents who are nurses, police and ambulance officers, firefighters or shift workers, she said.

Families who have children with special needs and live in areas where they are unable to access mainstream child care services will also be able to make use of the program.

The trial will begin in January and the government will be working closely with organisations such as police associations to establish the program and identify participants in our region.

Mrs Sudmalis said local businesses would have to apply and win the tender before government subsidies would be granted.

I’ll be writing a letter of support explaining how this program would flourish in this area particularly for young mums and dads. This is an extraordinary opportunity to allow them back into full-time employment easily and quickly.

Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis

North Nowra mother and shift worker Jaylene Byrne has three children aged five, four and seven months.

She said she would return from maternity leave to her work in the navy in September.
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When I go back to work I will have three children in three different institutions  one at school, one at preschool and one in daycare  all with different start and finishing times, she said.

Having a nanny would certainly ease my transition back into the workplace especially in those pick-up and drop-off hours and to have a close rapport with someone would ease my mind.

At the moment my only other option is to look at going back to work part-time.

Mrs Byrne said the last time she went back to work from maternity leave she would have to work through every lunch hour, work through the night and weekends to make up her 38-hour week.

Its not very fair to have to do that and its exhausting. I was also studying full-time at uni, she said.

Im surprised something like this hasnt been considered before.

There are really good childcare services in this area, but to have that other option available and subsidised by the government would really work for us.

Australian Nanny Association (ANA) member and South Coast Nannies owner Melinda Robertson said the rebate would open up a lot of opportunities.

With childcare as a whole there are gaps in the system to fit the diverse needs of families and this is certainly a positive step, she said.

Melinda Robertson South Coast Nannies

Yesterday I was speaking with someone who works shifts and would have to ask family members to travel from Canberra to Nowra just to look after the kids.

Nannies would be more affordable if there was a rebate. Women are expected to be part of the workforce but this often proves unattainable and they are forced to stay at home. Nannies could prove to be the key support for our community.

Mrs Sudmalis said nannies were seen as a domain of the wealthy but that should change.

This is for the mums and dads of professional services we heavily rely on. They are they are the ones in need and if we can help them get back into the workforce that will help us, she said.

Gilmore MP Ann Sudmalis