EXCERPTS:
RISING child care fees could see unwanted financial pressure on more parents in the city.
According to the childcare workers union United Voice 2011-2012 report, childcare fees had increased 10.3 per cent in Queensland in the past year.
Mount Isa mum, Tina Ferguson, said while there may have been an increase in the past year she is happy to pay for a quality day care centre for her two children part time.
"For me, I see huge qualities in child care, especially for working mothers, so a slight increase is in my case worth it - I'm happy to pay it," Mrs Ferguson said.
She said for some parents however, an increase in costs for child care services could be the difference between keeping their jobs and having to stay home to mind the kids.
"For some families, an increase in child care costs could mean a lot," Mrs Ferguson said.
"Depending on the situation, it could mean parents are forced to quit their jobs to stay home and mind the kids."
United Voice assistant national secretary Sue Lines said while the charges go up, 180 teachers a week were leaving the sector because of low wages and poor working conditions.
"Families need affordable, quality early childhood education and care with a professional workforce to deliver it," she said.
The union's report showed that in the 12 months to April 2012, childcare fees rose from an average of $63.21 to $70.29 a day.
"The funding model introduced by the Howard government is broken. It's time for a new funding system because without renewed government intervention the crisis can only worsen," Ms Lines said.
Minister for Childcare Kate Ellis said the government was providing record levels of financial support, investing $22.3 billion in early childhood education and care over the next four years.
"When fees do increase the government shoulders half of the increase," she said in a statement.
"As a result of our record investments in childcare affordability, the proportion of family income being spent on childcare has decreased from 13 per cent in 2004 to 7.5 per cent in 2011," she said.