Child care costs set to increase

The cost of child care is expected to increase if recommendations being considered by the federal government are adopted.

The government is considering proposals to ensure all child care staff are TAFE- or university-qualified and that more staff should be employed to increase staff-to-child ratios at centres.

A panel of 11 child-care professionals and development experts has told the government the ratio of staff to children must increase to provide children with the best start before school, Fairfax newspapers say.

The panel says the resulting higher cost of child care would be outweighed by better development of youngsters.

Federal child care minister Kate Ellis said new guidelines for childcare centres would better prepare children for school.

The government's strategy for children aged up to eight weeks was the first step towards a national child care system, she said.

"Importantly the framework has a strong emphasis on play-based learning, in recognition that play is the best vehicle to help young children learn," Ms Ellis said.

Ms Ellis is privately considering the panel's recommendations that staff-to-children ratios be boosted to at least 1:3 (one staff member for every three children) for children under two years, 1:5 for two- to three-year-olds and 1:10 for those aged up to five.