BUREAUCRATIC red tape is delaying much-needed funding to occasional child care centres amid federal and state wrangling over who should distribute $12.6 million worth of monies to those who need it most.
In May, the federal Coalition government reinstated funding cut by the previous Labor government in 2011, but the money has yet to flow through to child care centres with the new financial year and deadlines for bills to be paid looming.
Chelsea Occasional Child Care Centre volunteer president Vicky Weatherlake said their centre had to pay their annual insurance fee on 1 July and this would cost about $7000 with no notification of when federal funding would flow.
“We’ll pay the insurance because we can’t operate without it but it puts pressure on the centre’s finances,” Ms Weatherlake said.
She said the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority had been “very helpful” but could not consider extending the payment deadline for the annual fee beyond the first day of the new financial year.
The Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres is the peak body for community centres representing more than 90 per cent of all neighbourhood houses and learning centres in Victoria.
ANHLC policy development officer David Perry said the organisation was “happy with the return of federal funding as long as it makes its way to the community centres in neighbourhoods who need it most.”
“As far as we know, there are still potential hurdles to be overcome surround the administration of the funds,” Mr Perry said. “It’s important that the administration situation is resolved so the funding can meet the needs of those who previously lost access to childcare.”
Occasional child care centres are generally not-for-profit organisations that provide support for families by offering flexible hours care around parental and guardian work commitments.
The Gillard government withdrew funding for the occasional child care sector in 2011. At the time, then premier Ted Baillieu unsuccessfully called for the Labor government to reinstate the funding.
A spokesperson for state minister for children and early childhood Wendy Lovell said the state government awaited formal advice from the federal government about how much occasional care funding Victoria would receive and how it would be provided.
“The Victorian Coalition Government will maintain its commitment and fund Occasional Care so Victorian families are able to access child care on a casual basis through the program,” the spokesperson said.
“The Victorian government is looking forward to having ongoing discussions with the Commonwealth about ongoing funding for Occasional Care.”
Ms Weatherlake hoped the federal and state governments “could resolve this soon” to ensure Chelsea Occasional Child Care Centre is not left out of pocket.
