How Accessible Childcare is Breaking the Cycle of Disadvantage in Liverpool

One of the themes of Netflix’s current runaway hit ‘Maid’ is the difficulty that the protagonist Alex has in finding affordable, quality childcare for her daughter Maddy.

Without a job, Alex can’t find affordable housing or improve their circumstances. Without childcare, she can’t find a job. It’s a chicken and egg situation which families struggling financially often find themselves in. 

The series has won praise for its unflinching and moving depiction of the barriers and red tape which people in disadvantaged positions need to overcome to break the cycle.

In real life, it’s why the provision of accessible, quality childcare is so important at Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections (LNC) in Western Sydney. LNC is a grassroots organisation which seeks to give people in the area the tools they need to not only survive but thrive.

LNC’s programs for women and children focus on breaking the cycle of disadvantage not only through childcare but through empowerment and skills training.

The Pied Piper Mobile Child Care program for children aged 0-5 years supports families and carers who have difficulty accessing conventional childcare services because of financial issues or transport availability. 

Not only are all of the educators fully trained and qualified, they have a magical kit of toys, arts, crafts and fun activities. They keep children entertained onsite at projects, while their mothers are learning new skills. 

LNC also offers playgroups at their centre in Warwick Farm and affordable school holiday programs that lighten the burden on parents.

LNC CEO Pat Hall says it’s all about breaking the cycle of disadvantage and isolation, particularly for refugee and migrant women and children.

“Our centre has become a place where women from different cultures can come and feel safe,” says Pat.

“Our aim is to show kindness, to nurture our community and empower them. We have women who come in through soft entry points - to playgroups - and then they start to think ‘we can do this.’ So then they might join our women’s groups or take a TAFE course.”

A major difficulty that Alex faces in ‘Maid’ is leaving an abusive relationship when she has no financial resources of her own, and her self-esteem has been shattered. For women in the Liverpool area in similar situations, LNC has been a life raft.

“If we think they have something special to offer, we’ll offer them a spot in one of our social enterprises. That can change the dynamics of the whole family. Even if you’re in a domestic violence situation, you have access to a way out. You have access to money and to believing in yourself.”

LNC runs around 65 different programs every week, with approximately 22,000 people accessing them annually.

The success of LNC’s accessible childcare programs combined with skills training and place-based philanthropy has been recognised by a recent evaluation undertaken by the University of Western Sydney. 

Report co-author, Professor Brian Stout from the School of Social Sciences, Western Sydney University, says the programs provide families with far-reaching opportunities.

“Our report shows that if you support women through education and skills training, and then provide an environment that allows them to engage in these things, by, for example, providing accessible childcare services, that this is going to be impactful to both the woman accessing these services, her family and the community more broadly,” he said.

Co-author Dr Teddy Nagaddya said that one of the key findings was the impact that the provision of childcare and child services programs had on enabling women’s labour participation and improved parenting skills, leading to happier families.

Together, We’re Strong!

The motto at Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections is ‘Together, We’re Strong’ and the success of these grassroots programs and social enterprises shows how true that is.

You can make a real difference. If you’d like to donate to Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections, or become involved as a volunteer or mentor, get in touch today.