Warrnambool mum can't believe childcare shortage after being told of two-year wait

Warrnambool's Emily Atkinson said despite being an essential worker she could not get them a day care place and was relying on her elderly in-laws for care so she could work.

"It's a huge ask because they're really a two-person job for me and their dad, let alone elderly people," Ms Atkinson said. "It's hard."

She works permanent casual shifts in the disability sector, which is currently experiencing a worker shortage, calling a number of daycare centres requesting spots for Bently and Boston, seven months.

"All I'm wanting is two days a week," she said. "I'm at the point where I know I'm going to have to send one to one daycare centre and one to another, which at this point I'd even be grateful to have that."

The family is currently on seven waiting lists around the city.

"One of the centres said they're not expecting any spots to be available until mid-2023. Another centre I called to be put on a waiting list, I was one of 170-odd families. I thought 'there's no way I'm going to be able to get a spot anywhere'."

The Standard reported in mid July that the region was facing a huge childcare shortage with families facing a six to 12-month wait and waiting lists with between 40 to 170 families on them at various south-west centres.

She said she couldn't believe the demand for places. "I understand we're a growing population but there's just not the childcare out there to help with that."

She said at the current rate the boys would be in kinder or at school before she'd be able to secure a place for them.

Ms Atkinson said she wanted to be independent and not have to rely on family members but at the moment she had no choice.

"I do understand I'm asking for a lot, asking for two spots on the same day, but I'm not asking for five days a week," she said.