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Cardinia Shire Council calls on State Government to direct more funding to kindergarten
Freya Lucas
Apr 25, 2024
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Cardinia Shire Councillors are calling for the Victorian government to “take control of funding more kindergartens” in Cardinia, and to prioritise centres on school sites to provide easy access for the burgeoning shire and its young families.
During the most recent council meeting on Monday 15 April, councillors considered an extensive report on the future development of childcare (sic.) in the area amidst the ongoing rollout of free childcare in the State Government’s Best Start Best Life reforms.The Victorian Government has been working to meet the increased demand with two major early childhood centres set to be completed this year in Pakenham and Officer, as well as upgrades to existing kindergartens in Nar Nar Goon, Bayles and Avonsleigh.
For the council, a key factor of the report was to see more development of kindergartens attached to existing or future school sites to provide an easier ‘integrated service delivery’ for young families. This is called the kindergartens on school sites (KOSS) model.
Gembrook and Bunyip are the next possible sites for KOSS services, the report notes, calling on the State Government to not only deliver the infrastructure for the reforms, but also to fund the infrastructure needed for the reforms ‘fully’ and cover any shortfall, given that the redevelopment of Cardinia kindergartens will be extensive.
Of the 27 kindergartens owned and managed by the Council, 16 facilities are between 34 to almost 40 years of age, only two of which have had a redevelopment.
Across the last five years the Council has spent an average of $337,000 per year on reactive and routine maintenance across these kindergartens.
“Currently Cardinia Shire does not operate kindergartens, but there seems to be a lot of responsibility put on to Cardinia Shire Council on delivery of this service,” Cr Radford said.
“This is seeking that the State Government assist with their responsibility, so that we can ensure that all children get the benefit that kinder provides.”
Information for this story was derived from this piece which appeared in Star Weekly.
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