There are calls for Australia to implement universal childcare because it’s claimed it will reduce the number of children arriving “behind” at school.

But Tom Elliott says it’s a “bit of a slap in the face” to parents who want to take care of their own children until then.

Georgie Dent, CEO of The Parenthood, said the evidence showed one-in-five children were arriving at school “developmentally vulnerable”.

Press PLAY below to hear their discussion

“That is 20 per cent of children arriving at school behind,” she said.

“And what we know is that those kids who arrive behind, very rarely, catch up to their peers.”