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Darren Chester calls for greater funding certainty to protect Heyfield’s only childcare service after missing out on commonwealth support

Federal Member Darren Chester is urging greater funding certainty for regional childcare services after Heyfield’s only provider, Kids House, missed out on Commonwealth funding, threatening its future and affecting more than 30 families.

By news@gippsland - 6th November 2026 - Back to News

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester has called for greater funding certainty for regional childcare services as Heyfield’s only childcare provider faces an uncertain future after missing out under Round 5 of the Community Child Care Fund. Mr Chester recently visited Kids House and met with Heyfield Community Resource Centre Manager Caroline Trevorrow to discuss the financial pressures facing the community-run service and the need for sustainable, long-term support.

Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester during his visit to Kids House at the Heyfield Community Resource Centre

Heyfield childcare funding

Kids House has operated in Heyfield for more than 20 years and currently supports more than 30 local families while employing five qualified educators. "Childcare is an essential community service that allows parents to work, study and participate in community life. In a regional town like Heyfield, families don’t have a long list of alternative providers if their local service disappears."

"Kids House is the only childcare service in town, and losing it would have an immediate impact on local families, employers and the broader community. This is exactly why small regional childcare services need greater certainty about their future," Mr Chester said.

Kids House has relied on the Community Child Care Fund since 2017 to remain financially viable. The Heyfield Community Resource Centre applied for $270,000 over three years under Round 5 of the fund to support staff wages, but its application was unsuccessful. Without replacement funding, the centre has warned Kids House is no longer financially viable.

Regional childcare funding

The result follows a similar outcome for Paynesville Child Care in East Gippsland, which also missed out under Round 5 despite relying on Commonwealth support to remain financially viable. Mr Chester said having two Gippsland community-run services facing funding uncertainty highlighted the challenges of delivering childcare in regional communities.

"These services face the same staffing requirements, regulatory obligations and fixed operating costs as larger providers, but they don’t have the scale or financial buffers available in bigger markets. Kids House is dealing with rising compliance costs, fluctuating enrolments and a younger mix of children requiring higher staffing ratios, all while trying to keep fees affordable for local families," he said.

Securing regional childcare

Mr Chester also said, "Caroline and the team are doing everything they can to keep providing a service families clearly value, but funding insecurity is another challenge on top of an already mounting list. They need enough certainty to plan ahead, retain qualified educators and reassure families that this important local service has a sustainable future."

"If parents can’t access childcare, they may be forced to reduce their working hours, leave employment altogether or travel significant distances every day. That has flow-on impacts for local hospitals, businesses, farms and other employers which are already competing for workers," Mr Chester said.

A Senate Committee on Education and Employment is currently examining the state of early childhood education and care in rural, regional and remote communities, including service gaps, workforce shortages, the effectiveness of the Child Care Subsidy and existing Commonwealth programs.

Pictures from Darren Chester MP website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Latrobe City ratepayers to receive 2026/27 notices as council outlines $90.4M works program
  Latrobe City ratepayers will receive 2026/27 rates notices from late August, helping fund $90.4 million in capital works, essential services and community assets across the municipality.
• Latrobe City pushes for fair community benefits, transparent water pricing and long-term investment as Yallourn Mine rehabilitation progresses
  Latrobe City Council has urged fair community reinvestment, transparent water pricing and long-term funding certainty as EnergyAustralia seeks water entitlement for Yallourn Mine rehabilitation.
• The Nationals unveil Tradie Support Plan for Eastern Victoria, targeting skills shortages, apprenticeship costs and toll expenses
  The Nationals have announced a tradie support plan featuring apprentice training subsidies, 10 technical colleges for 5,000 students, and a $50 weekly toll cap, aiming to address skills shortages and support eastern Victoria businesses.
• Latrobe City Children’s Expo offers free family fun, activities and community services at Kernot Hall in Morwell on 27 October 2026
  Latrobe City Council will host a free Children’s Expo at Kernot Hall, Morwell, on October 27, featuring entertainment, activities, food vendors and community services for families.
• Regional Development $750,000 investment expands employment and education support for 120 Latrobe Valley young people through 2028
  The Victorian government is investing a further $750,000 in the Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley Program, supporting 120 young people with employment, education, training and independence opportunities through 2028.
• East Gippsland library members gain free access to digital magazines across lifestyle, travel, health, technology and entertainment categories
  East Gippsland library members can enjoy free digital magazines through ePress, covering travel, food, lifestyle, health and more. Accessible anytime through BorrowBox, the service helps households save on subscription costs.
• Tarwin River partnership launches six projects for catchment restoration and community stewardship across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland CMA has launched Together for the Tarwin, funding six projects over 18 months to restore wetlands, waterways and habitats while strengthening community stewardship across the Tarwin catchment.
• Gippsland community groups share $60,000 in Federal Volunteer Grants to strengthen local organisations and support volunteers
  Twenty-four Gippsland not-for-profit organisations will share more than $60,000 in federal grants to improve volunteering, reduce barriers to participation and strengthen local communities.
• Latrobe City urges state election candidates to back economic transformation, infrastructure investment, job creation and community safety priorities
  Latrobe City Council is urging Victorian election candidates to commit funding for economic development, infrastructure, job creation and community safety ahead of Yallourn Power Station 2028 closure.
• Labor government invests $750,000 to support young Gippslanders into education, training and employment opportunities
  The Victorian Labor government is investing $750,000 in Ladder Step Up Latrobe Valley, supporting 120 young people facing barriers to education, training and employment through 2028.
• Cann River Cafe creates local employment pathways through community training and youth opportunities
  Cann River has opened Fern & Feather Cafe, a community-owned training initiative providing hospitality skills, employment pathways, youth opportunities and funding for local community programs.
• Coalition seeks crossbench support to scrap Labor’s forestry carbon credit method
  The Coalition is urging crossbench Senators to reject Labor’s Improved Native Forest Management carbon credit method, warning it overstates emissions savings, threatens forestry jobs and reduces timber supply.
• Metung mother Lily Martyn establishes foundation supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families across Gippsland
  Metung mother Lily Martyn has launched Do It For Foundation Gippsland, supporting neurodivergent children, young people and families. The foundation has connected 95 East Gippsland families seeking support, understanding and practical solutions.
• Latrobe City awards $488,346 to 44 community projects supporting local clubs, facilities, wellbeing initiatives and events across the region
  Latrobe City Council has awarded $488,346 to 44 community projects through Round 1 of its 2026/27 Community Grants Program, supporting facility upgrades, accessibility improvements, wellbeing initiatives, local organisations and community events.
• Gippsland Water offers face-to-face bill support through September pop-ups across Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin
  Gippsland Water will host September pop-ups across the region, offering customers face-to-face help with bills, payment plans, concessions and government assistance amid cost-of-living pressures, with events in Morwell, Sale, Traralgon and Drouin.
• The Nationals pledge $10M boost for Victoria's Neighbourhood Houses, supporting community hubs facing rising demand and cost pressures
  The Nationals have pledged $10 million over four years for Victoria's Neighbourhood Houses, including $4 million for existing services and $6 million to establish and expand hubs in growing regions.
• East Gippsland Council adopts 2025–26 Annual Report, highlighting infrastructure investment, community services and financial sustainability
  East Gippsland Shire Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights $30.4 million in capital works, community services and economic development. Despite a $7.7 million operating surplus, Council recorded a $3.1 million underlying deficit.
• Victorian Landcare grants deliver $337,250 to support 40 community environmental projects across West Gippsland
  West Gippsland has received $337,250 through the 2026 Victorian Landcare Grants for 22 environmental projects and 18 support grants, backing koala habitat restoration, Tarwin River revegetation and community nature education initiatives.
• Visa delays threaten regional harvest workforce as farmers and tourism employers demand urgent federal government action before summer
  Farmers, tourism operators and regional employers warn visa delays could cause critical workforce shortages during summer harvest and tourism periods, urging the Federal government to restore timely visa processing.
• Melina Bath says boating licence revenue should fund ramps, parking, dredging and safety, supporting Victorian boating and fishing communities
  Victoria’s Liberals and Nationals have pledged to protect the Better Boating Fund, which delivered $130 million in four years, supporting boating facilities, waterway safety, recreational fishing and regional jobs.
• Bass Coast Shire Council seeks community input to shape future grants program and strengthen local community initiatives until 4 October 2026
  Bass Coast Council is reviewing its Community Grants Program, inviting residents and groups to help shape funding priorities supporting local projects, events, climate action and community initiatives.
• Wellington Shire Council retains three-bin waste system as landfill waste falls, delivering savings and supporting long-term waste management
  Wellington Shire Council will retain its three-bin kerbside waste service after landfill waste fell more than 40 per cent, reducing disposal costs and supporting lower household waste charges.