Brimbank parents have breathed a collective sigh of relief at the federal government’s renewal of funding for kindergartens.
The Abbott government has vowed to extend its universal access plan by two years, guaranteeing 4.25 hours of kindergarten a week per child and ensuring 15 hours a week of kindergarten is provided in the year before children start school. The state government funds the other 10.75 hours.
The federal government has committed $840 million to extend the partnership by two years.
Keilor mum Kylie Clifford said she was “extremely happy” that her three-year-old son, Baxter, could continue at Keilor Gatehouse Preschool for four-year-old kinder next year.
“That 15 hours is essential for every child; it should be the minimum to prepare them for primary school,” Ms Clifford said.
“The progress and skills they develop at kinder can’t be taught at home, so we feel really lucky. It wouldn’t be affordable for us or many parents to pay on their own.”
Early Childhood Management Services chief executive Bernie Nott said the government’s decision gave much-needed certainty to staff and thousands of families.
Mr Nott said he hoped universal access would eventually be extended to younger children, especially those who are vulnerable and at-risk.
Senator Scott Ryan said federal funding would be indexed for the first time, to ensure families “do not lose out in real terms”.
“Linking funding to CPI will mean an extra $30 million over the 2016 and 2017 calendar years,” Senator Ryan said.
