Central co-ordination units should be set up if nannies get federal government funding to prevent fraud and make sure nannies deliver appropriate care, the leadbody for children says.
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In its draft report on childcare, released in July, the Productivity Commission recommended that parents be able to claim childcare assistance from the federal government for nannies, provided the nannies are properly qualified.
Many within the childcare sector expect the recommendation will be included in the final report, which is due to go to the federal government on Friday. It is also seen as a measure that could be implemented before the next federal election, due in 2016.
Ahead of the release of the final Productivity Commission report, Early Childhood Australia is calling for co-ordination units in the event of government-funded nannies.
Chief executive Samantha Page said the units would make it difficult for individual early childhood educators and families to fraudulently claim subsidies. They could be set up by family day care, long day care or after-school care units already running.
"Co-ordination units prevent educators from submitting falsified time sheets, where no children are actually in care," Ms Page said.
They would also offer professional support, home visits and act as a central point for intakes and administration.
This is similar to a recommendation by the Australian Nanny Association, which has said it would either like to see nanny agencies or family day care centres recruit, train and supervise the placement of nannies or alternatively, support and educate nannies who were privately recruited.
"In-home care would be a costly option for families," Ms Page said, "but accessing subsidies for care before and after school, on weekends or on days where a family can't access centre-based services would help many working families."
This comes ahead of federal, state and territory education ministers meeting to discuss nannies on Friday. The funding and regulation of nannies will be discussed as part of the Council of Australian Governments' review of the national quality framework for childcare. No decision on nannies is expected at the meeting.
Also on Friday, Treasurer Joe Hockey will receive the much-anticipated Productivity Commission report into childcare. The government is not expected to release the wide-ranging review immediately. As the government has 25 sitting days to table the report in Parliament, there is speculation it could wait until the new year to make it available to the public.
