EXCERPTS.
The rising cost of childcare is a double-edged sword for Jadranka Skrivanek.
Mrs Skrivanek, 38, says her career in customer service comes second to raising her children, and the money she does make from part-time work is used mostly for childcare.
"It's always been very expensive for two kids, but we have just had another rise in fees," Mrs Skrivanek said. "I can't afford to go to work every day because the cost is just too high. Five days is just too much."
When daughter Emma, 4, and son Thomas, 2, do attend childcare in Keilor Downs, the rate is $75 a day each, recently up by $10.
When Mrs Skrivanek had to do more study for work, she was forced to use occasional childcare, but had difficulty finding a centre that could accommodate her needs.
"We really had no choice, so I kept calling different centres. It was only when I said I was doing a course that they got in," she said.
With her husband, Alesh, working full time and the children's grandparents overseas, Mrs Skrivanek's job works around her children.
"I definitely think there are benefits from them going to care," Mrs Skrivanek said.
"They are both outgoing and learn to be very social with the other children, but the fees are huge."
-reprinted from the Herald Sun