By KATH GANNAWAY
PRE-SCHOOL organisations and councils have welcomed an announcement last week that will ensure funding for 15 hours of kindergarten through to the end of 2015.
The State Government funds 10 hours of kindergarten, but uncertainty had plagued kindergarten providers throughout this year with the Federal Government undecided whether it will continue to fund the additional five hours.
Jacinta Graham manager of Kinderlink in Healesville, which operates Badger Creek, Queen’s Park and Haig Avenue pre-schools, told the Mail earlier this year that taking out the Federal Government component would result in a deficit to their budget of almost $100,000 which, she said, could not be made up in increased fees.
She said the 15 hours of kindergarten for four-year-olds had proven benefits including better transition to school, an ability to socialise better and increased stamina to start school.
There was also an impact on teachers when there was no certainty around their employment, she said.
Ms Graham called for a permanent commitment to the 15 hours from both the state and federal governments.
The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and the Early Learning Association Australia have also called for an on-going commitment.
“The big ticket item for our parents and service providers is keeping 15 hours of funded preschool/kindergarten for 2015 and beyond, and that means not letting the Commonwealth off the hook,” ELAA CEO Shane Lucas said in relation to his organisation’s submission to the Productivity Commission Inquiry into Childcare and Early Childhood Learning.
The Federal Government is waiting on the findings of the Commission before making long-term decisions on funding.
The MAV has said last week’s $406 million funding announcement was a good start but said long-term funding certainty was urgently needed.
