Parents Rally to Save Care for Kids Battling Cancer

Ashley Perez doesn't have energy for anger, but she's found plenty of strength to fight for her daughters and hundreds of other vulnerable children across Australia.

Her daughters Emilia, 7, and Alyssa, 5, are both undergoing chemotherapy for leukemia. A simple cold could land them in the hospital, making regular daycare impossible.

That's where in-home childcare comes in. Educators visit their home in Lara, near Geelong, keeping the girls learning and feeling normal while staying safe from infection.

But the entire in-home care sector serving 810 vulnerable families is now at serious risk. Unlike center-based childcare, these small providers weren't included in government wage subsidies covering educator pay rises.

The result has been devastating. More than 70 percent of families have reduced hours or withdrawn completely because they can't afford the increased costs.

The Ripple Effect

What started as a policy gap has sparked something unexpected: a powerful coalition demanding change.

Parents like Ashley are speaking up, sharing their stories of why this care matters. Politicians from across the political spectrum are listening and taking action.

Liberal Senator Matt O'Sullivan says he's pushing hard for a fix through Senate estimates. The Greens and crossbench senators are joining the call. Early Childhood Education Minister Jess Walsh has acknowledged the importance of in-home care and committed to working with the sector.

The Australian Home Childcare Association says it would cost just $6.3 million annually to extend the subsidy to in-home providers. That's a tiny fraction of the $3.4 billion the government already spends on center-based wage subsidies.

Families qualify for in-home care when they live remotely, work shift schedules, face child protection issues, or have serious illnesses. These aren't families with easy alternatives.

For Ashley's daughters, in-home care means continuing to learn and play while fighting cancer. It protects not just their education but their mental health during an incredibly difficult time.

"I would like the government to understand how important it is for children like mine to just be put on a level playing field with kids who can attend mainstream services," Ashley said.

The growing chorus of voices from families, advocates, and lawmakers across party lines shows this issue has moved beyond politics into basic fairness for vulnerable children.