Brewing up a storm

Taxpayers subsidise daycare barista coffee

Taxpayers are picking up the tab for parents’ caffeine cravings by subsidising the fees of daycare centres that offer free “barista coffee’’.

TAXPAYERS are picking up the tab for parents’ caffeine cravings by subsidising the fees of deluxe daycare centres that offer free “barista coffee’’.

Childcare luxuries including barista-made coffee for parents, petting zoos and even yoga classes are inflating the cost of childcare fees, which are heavily subsidised by the Federal Government.

In Sydney, the Chifley Early Learning Centre boasts of “a complimentary barista-made coffee and fresh baked treats for parents to enjoy in the parent lounge or take away”.

The fees of up to $155 a day include children’s activities such as yoga, meditation and relaxation classes.

The Rumpus Room chain of centres in Newcastle, which charge up to $107 per day, has a photo of a coffee machine on its website.

Rumpus Room owner Richard Rule said the on-site barista-made free coffee was for parents in the foyer.

“It becomes a moment when parents pause as they wait briefly for their coffee and fosters valuable conversation,’’ he said.

“It’s an expense that adds great value to our customers.’’

Federal Childcare Minister Simon Birmingham said subsidies for childcare should only be used for childcare.

“Taxpayers should never be expected to subsidise luxury services and add-ons like baristas and yoga classes,’’ he said.

“If parents want those other add-ons, they should pay for them and not the taxpayer.’’

Taxpayers heavily subsidise childcare fees and refund families half their out-of-pocket costs. The rebate scheme will change in July, when the government will cap the amount families can claim in rebates.

Parents will only be able to claim subsidies for long daycare costing up to $11.55 an hour or $138.60 a day for centres that charge for a 12hour session. The change will affect 15 per cent of centres, forcing parents to pay the full cost of fees above the cap.

“Our rate cap will protect both parents and taxpayers from being forced to subsidise things unrelated to quality early childhood education and care,’’ Mr Birmingham said.

The Australian Childcare Alliance, representing private centres, said some centres were so short of children they were employing baristas to lure parents to enrol.

ACA NSW president Lyn Connolly said a centre could cover a barista’s wage just by enrolling one extra child.

“If you get one extra child spending $100 every day that’s $25,000 a year, which well and truly pays for the barista who comes in for two hours each morning,’’ she said. “But you might get another six mums enrolling because they want a morning coffee.’’