Every Northern Illawarra parent knows about the legendary hunt for the elusive daycare.

The struggle to find suitable and affordable childcare has become an overwhelming burden for many local parents. With only 12 daycare centres available across the postcodes of 2508, 2515 and 2516 meant to service a whopping 7824 families, we have a childcare crisis in Northern Illawarra of ridiculous proportions.

If you’re pregnant, even thinking about having kids, or frankly have just had your first date, you should call all the daycare centres ASAP and book your spot because spaces are limited.

I also might add that a lot of those 12 childcare centres are only open to taking kids aged 2 and above.

With limited options, the journey back to the workforce is far more challenging than anticipated.

For me, finding suitable childcare for my kids was not just about returning to work, it was also about reclaiming a sense of purpose and finding me again. More so, I had to go back to work. We have a mortgage and I needed to contribute.

I must say that I am one of the lucky ones, with both of my kids in reliable care throughout the week and with one headed to a free (yes, I said free!) daycare next year. The free community preschools are capped at two days maximum to ensure everyone gets an opportunity. And a position within this type of school will more than halve our yearly daycare fees, which is usually essentially the cost of a private school. It is the unicorn of childcare. Although positions are mostly offered to four-year-olds ahead of their first year of school. We have been waiting years to get into this school.

There needs to be a sustainable solution for our local families. As our population increases, surely we need to consider what facilities we have to support it.