Family day care fees across Brimbank could skyrocket by $1700 per family from next July due to federal government funding changes.
Brimbank council will write to federal Education Minister Christopher Pyne, urging the government to continue its community support program [CSP] in its current format.
All family day care services are presently eligible for the CSP. But the federal Education Department will end all contracts with approved family day care services on July 1 next year. Operators will have to reapply for federal funding and be assessed under tighter eligibility criteria.
There are 31 private family day care services operating in Brimbank, as well as the council’s Brimbank Family Day Care Service, which has 56 educators who look after 481 children.
The changes mean most, if not all, Brimbank services will lose CSP funding next year, according to the council.
Council administrator Jane Nathan said the decision was incomprehensible. “If they want us to deliver the services, they need to give us the money that they get through taxes because our rates are not supposed to be going in that direction,” she said.
Fellow administrator John Tanner said the council would try to prevent any reduction in services.
“There are some unique demographic circumstances in this municipality and we must ensure they get the best access to those services,” he said.
Municipal Association of Victoria president Bill McArthur said the changes could cost families an extra $1700 a year for full-time care.
“The Commonwealth has decided to rip out the foundations that underpin the whole family day care system, which is a low blow to current operators, families and the children, who will all be affected,” he said.
“With many council services offering care in non-core hours, these federal reforms could lead to a lack of flexibility for families who do shift work or who are in need of respite.’’
Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the changes would hit Brimbank services hard, forcing many to increase fees or close their doors.
