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Uncertainty Remains After Preschool Funding Announcement

Despite confirmation by the Federal Government of the continuation of funding for 15 hours of preschool,

By Latrobe City - 15th May 2015 - Back to News

Latrobe City Council is still concerned that lack of certainty over funding for ratio changes could have a serious impact on its ability to deliver preschool services.

Latrobe City Council’s mayor, Councillor Dale Harriman, said that Council will be continuing its campaign to raise the profile of this issue in Canberra and will be seeking further community support to do this.

"We welcome the news that the universal access to preschool has been confirmed in the federal budget. However, there are issues surrounding funding of the requirement to implement new teacher-student ratios from 2016. With no guarantee of funding for these changes, Council has already been forced to consider a range of future scenarios, none of which is how we want to proceed.

"We have looked at raising preschool fees by up to 150%, stopping the delivery of preschool services entirely, or reducing services in other areas of Council such as aged care, community development or libraries. Clearly, these are not choices we want to be forced to make," Cr Harriman said.

"Latrobe City is the only local government authority in Gippsland who deliver a preschool service. The quality of our service is outstanding and we do not want to compromise this at all. We also do not want a situation where only those who are financially able can access early education for their children.

"In order to raise the profile of this issue in Canberra we will be asking all families in Latrobe City to sign a postcard to be sent to the Minister of Education to call on him to provide certainty.

"This sort of simple, visual campaign can be very effective. The postcards will be available at our early education facilities and service centres and will be collected by Council and sent in bulk to the Minister. I would urge you all, if you currently have children attending one of our preschool services, or if you have in the past, to get behind the postcard campaign and let the government know that we want funding to be confirmed for the future of our children’s education," Cr Harriman said.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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