Advocacy
Policy
Wyndham promotes #iheartkinder to secure federal kinder funding
Jason Roberts
Feb 18, 2019
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In the lead up to the release of the 2019-20 Federal Budget on 2 April 2019, Wyndham City Council, located in the outer south-western suburbs of Melbourne, has ramped up its I Love Kinder campaign in a bid to secure ongoing funding from the Morrison government.
On Friday 15 February 2019, Wyndham City hosted the first Have a Heart Party at Manor Lakes Kindergarten, with local families sharing their love of kinder and encouraging the Federal Government to extend funding.Wyndham City Mayor, Cr Mia Shaw, said cutting funding to kindergartens could have serious and ongoing repercussions for families throughout Australia.
“Currently the Federal Government provides five hours of kindergarten a week for every four year old, while states like the Victorian Government provide 10 hours. Unfortunately, the Federal Government has only committed to fund their share until December 2019, leaving families in limbo,” Cr Shaw said.
“If Scott Morrison does not extend funding beyond December and provide ongoing funding, then hundreds of thousands of families throughout Australia could be worse off and children could miss out on the quality education they deserve.”
“In Wyndham alone, we have more than 3,100 kids currently enrolled in kinder. If the Federal Government does not fund their education on an ongoing basis then their families could be stuck paying around an extra $2,000 out of their own pockets just to fill the gaps.”
“This is simply unacceptable and that’s why Council is leading the I Love Kinder Campaign. We’re encouraging other Councils, families, parents and teachers throughout Australia to add their voice to the campaign and help us tell Scott Morrison to have a heart and not cut kinder funding.”
“By hosting their own Have a Heart Party, people throughout Australia can help us send this message to Canberra. Parents and kids can draw or write their favourite thing about kinder and then the organisers of the party can share them on social media with the hashtag #ilovekinder.”
Wyndham City’s Learning City portfolio holder, Cr Josh Gilligan, said the benefits of a kindergarten education were clear.
“Kids who have a quality early childhood education do better in life on average. In general, they have a smoother transition to primary school, they have better social and cognitive skills and have superior literacy and numeracy skills once they’re at school than those kids who don’t attend kinder,” Cr Gilligan said.
“In school and beyond young people who attend kinder also remain ahead of those who don’t. They’re more likely to finish Year 12 and on average they experience higher levels of employment, financial security, health and wellbeing.”
“A quality kinder education is an investment in our future and if the Morrison government fails to recognise that then they will not only be failing children and families, they will be failing Australia.”
To get involved in the I Love Kinder campaign or to host a Have a Heart Party, visit www.ilovekinder.org.au
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