Cut to the core- Lynda Smith, pictured with worker Queenie Tirado, parent Rene Sulyok and worker Wendy Slavovic, are preparing for funding cuts to the Take a Break program next year. 72449 Picture: St

By Lia Bichel
LONG-serving staff members have lost their jobs and fees have increased as some local occasional childcare centres prepare for funding cuts next year.
The Federal Government withdrew its funding for the Take a Break program in May last year, but the Labor State Government stepped in and funded the program until 30 June this year. The Baillieu Government continued funding until the end of December this year.
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley said local community centres and neighbourhood houses have had to make some tough decisions as a result of the funding cut.
“Our local occasional care centres have been devastated by the Baillieu Government’s cut of the Take a Break funding,” she said.
“Berwick Neighbourhood Centre has had to increase child care fees by 20 per cent.
“They have also had to let go of a long-serving staff member, while also reducing the working hours of other staff.
“Enrolments have dropped because parents can’t afford the fee increases.”
Other local occasional care providers have had to make similar sacrifices, including Hampton Park Community House.
“There were three staff we had to let go who have worked here part-time for over 12 years,” Lynda Smith from the Hampton Park Community House said.
“It was extremely hard because we work closely together, and it was like losing a member of the family.”
Ms Smith and administration co-ordinator Diane Spencer said the centre had to turn down an offer from AMES to be their preferred provider for childcare. They said there was also the possibility that the program would not run if the funding cuts occurred in January.
“People in Hampton Park might go to English classes at AMES and would drop them off at our childcare centre, but we had to turn down the offer to be the preferred provider,” Ms Smith said.
She and Ms Spencer said the funding cuts could turn into a negative snowball effect, causing parents to drop out of educational or well-being classes offered at the centre.
They predicted that the number of immigrants learning English would decrease as some parents would not be able to find alternative occasional child care.
“It’s a big negative as they won’t be able to comfortably integrate into society. They won’t go to class and have social inclusion and interaction. Sometimes, they even use that class as support,” Ms Smith said.
“It’s frustrating because we are different from a normal day care centre because we have a holistic approach.
“We look after their children while they access programs or classes but when people come into our doors at the community house we are not just looking after children and their families, but their mind, body and spirit.
“We are empathetic to their needs and mental health and make sure they are coping well in life.”
While Berwick Neighbourhood House and Hampton Park Community Centre have had to cut staff, Merinda Park Learning and Community Centre will be taking on fundraising activities to try and save the program.
“We are continuing to run the service and the centre will cop the short fall, but endeavoring to raise money,” manager Jan Gilchrist said.
“We will manage our money the best way we can. We are a community organisation, so we won’t close service unless it is detrimental to the centre.”