Parents get a break

By Kelly Yates
AN occasional childcare program which runs at several community and learning centres in Casey can continue for another year, after news the State Government will increase its funding.
Minister for Children and Early Childhood Development Maxine Morand said the State Government would increase funding by $1 million to $1.9 million in 2010-11 to ensure the Take-a-Break occasional child care program continues throughout Victoria.
The short term occasional care program supports more than 9700 children and their families each week, providing important early learning and social experiences for children aged 0 to six years.
Casey based services receiving Take-a-Break childcare funding include the Hallam Community Learning Centre and the Narre Community Learning Centre.
Ms Morand said the program was previously jointly funded with the Federal Government.
“We recognise how important these services are to families and with that funding concluding, we wanted to make sure these programs could continue to be offered,” she said.
Hallam Community Learning Centre manager Dianne Wilson said their Take-a-Break program at the centre catered for 10 to 12 families.
“This program makes short-term childcare affordable,” she said.
Ms Wilson said she was relieved with the recent funding announcement.
“This funding is replacing the federal funds that were lost,” she said.
“We’re all going to continue to lobby Federal Government to re-instate the funding for Take-a-Break.”
Community development manager at the Narre Community Learning Centre, Kay Vrieze, said the centre was pleased with the money as it made a huge difference for people using the childcare.
The funding is being provided to 220 licensed children’s centres operated by community-based organisations and adult community education providers.