Childcare reforms must be scrutinised

The Abbott Government's proposed childcare reforms may deny some families a quality early education, Labor says.

A $3.5 billion package announced by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Social Services Minister Scott Morrison on Sunday will put $30 a week back into the pockets of families earning up to $165,000 a year.

Children of families with an income of $65,000 or under will continue to be subsidised for 12 hours a week.

But those over that threshold, with a stay-at-home parent, will miss out on subsidies.

Opposition families spokeswoman Jenny Macklin said that part of the plan might "lock" some families out of quality childcare, such as those working part-time or split shifts.

"Families who are working irregular shifts, really need to hold on to a childcare place because they don't know when their employer will be calling them in," she told reporters in Melbourne on Sunday.

Ms Macklin said Labor would need to scrutinise the proposed reforms, but wouldn't support them if they were tied to changes to the family tax benefit.