CHILDCARE workers union United Voice says in the 12 months to April 2012, childcare fees rose from an average of 63.21 to 70.29 a day.

United Voice assistant national secretary Sue Lines says families need affordable, quality early childhood education and care, with a professional workforce to deliver it.

Karen Jackman, a parent and editor of parenting newspaper and website KindyNews, said  the pressures on parents are massive, while childcare centres and kindergartens worked very hard to provide the best quality care they can for children, sometimes under difficult conditions.

"Working parents tell us all the time about the pressures they are under to meet rising costs of childcare," she said. "It is also very difficult for the child care providers as wages still remain low compared to other professions despite carrying huge a responsibility caring for young children."   


Minister for Childcare Kate Ellis says the government is providing record levels of financial support, investing 22.3 billion in early childhood education and care over the next four years and shouldering about half of any increases in fees.

The ACT topped the list for the most expensive childcare at $82.43 a day - up nine per cent.