A GROUP of young mums who became friends when they were having their first babies are among parents doing the sums on the federal budget childcare changes.
The women — who gave birth at Sutherland Hospital and Kareena Hospital 10 to 11 months ago — get together regularly.
They were generally positive about the budget changes, but concerned the increased funding could be tied to cuts to family tax benefit part B and that mothers who chose to stay home with their children would be disadvantaged.
All have either gone back to work part-time, or intend to do so soon, but none of them wanted to work five days a week.
Cara McFarlane, of Kirrawee, said she took a redundancy offer from her job so she could care for her daughter Sofia full-time.
"I am working four hours a week, and I am lucky to have family help," she said. "Some people don't have that choice and childcare can be ridiculously expensive, so the changes are good for them."
Natalie Nicholls, of Caringbah, said she would return to work about 20 hours a week, but was also lucky to have family help.
Alex Heath, of Cronulla, said she planned to work one day a week this year and two days next year.
"Up until now, it hasn't been worth doing more [because of high childcare fees] but it sounds like there might be more incentive now," she said.
Jill Staunton, of Miranda, who is pregnant again, said the increased funding would be good for her in future, but she would "struggle" during time off work with her second child.
Megan Sund, of Caringbah, said she intended putting her son Curtis in childcare for only one day a week for socialisation.
BUDGET CHANGES NEED SUPPORT
Childcare changes, which are designed to get parents back to work more quickly, depend on the support of cross-bench MPs to become law. And even then are not due to start until July 2017.
Families earning up to $65,000 will get 85 per cent back per child of the actual fee or a benchmark price, whichever is lower.
Those earning $170,000 and above will get 50 per cent back. Work requirements will be much tighter.
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