By BRIDGET COOK
THE Casey community is campaigning to ensure children continue to have access to 15 hours of kindergarten each week.
The Federal Government is currently reviewing whether it will continue to fund five hours of preschool for eligible four-year-olds each week beyond this year.
The State Government currently funds 10 hours of preschool while the Federal Governemnt is responsible for the remaining five hours.
The national partnership funding agreement was made in 2008 but did not involve any funds being allocated by the Federal Government beyond 2014.
At a Casey council meeting last month, councillor Rosalie Crestani moved a motion for the council to write to the Federal Government requesting that its part of the funding be continued.
“I believed there is still time to express council’s position on the subject in support of maintaining the full funding,” she said.
“Should the review reflect a five-hour cut for the 15 hour total, this would affect Casey residents and families heavily.
“Early learning is a significant service offered and facilitated by Casey council and we will continue to fight for our residents in this regard.”
Narre Warren South MP Judith Graley joined Hallam Community Learning Centre manager Dianne Wilson last week to launch a petition calling on the Federal Governments to ensure it continued the funding.
Ms Wilson said that many local families who currently send their children to kindergarten at Hallam Community and Learning Centre were set to miss out.
“Kindergarten provides children with much needed early education that is vital to a child’s future development,” she said.
“The structured activities and programs on offer not only provide enormous benefits to our kids but to parents who may need a few hours’ break each week.
“Many parents will now struggle to find their child adequate kindergarten and childcare, whilst trying to balance working and caring for their family.”
Ms Graley the possible cuts could make life even more difficult for local families that were already struggling to make ends meets.
“Our kids will miss out, kindergartens will be forced to cuts jobs and local parents will have no choice but to either cut back on their working hours or find additional childcare elsewhere,” she said.
Ms Graley urged anyone who could be impacted by the cuts to sign the petition by calling 9704 6055 or visiting the Hallam Community and Learning Centre, 56 Kays Avenue, Hallam.
