FAMILIES could face a loss in kindergarten hours or rise in fees if federal government funding is withdrawn.
The state government funds 10 hours of four-year-old kinder per week and federal funding accounts for 5 hours per week under a National Partnership Agreement.
The agreement is due to cease at the end of this year and there are fears families will be forced to pick up the tab if the Abbott government does not renew the funding arrangement.
Premier Daniel Andrews has written to the Prime Minister asking the federal government to renew the partnership agreement.
Chelsea Kindergarten Imogen Kelly said the ongoing “uncertainty” is a concern for community kinders.
“For a standalone community kindergarten like ours it’s unworkable not knowing how many hours you’ll be funded for next year,” she said.
“Most community kindergartens are run by parent volunteer committees … and have no certainty around planning and budgeting.”
If the funding partnership ends Ms Kelly said Chelsea Kindergarten may have to cut back the hours of childcare it can offer families.
“It’s also unfair on our teachers and affects their hours of work.”
The Catherine Ave kindergarten has three teachers and about 80 children enrolled.
Kingston Council will accept central enrolments for next year from 1 May.
“Parents have to nominate their preferences … [they] need to know at that point pretty basic things like the fee they’ll have to pay and how long their child will be at kinder to fit around their work and other care arrangements,” Ms Kelly said.
Mordialloc Labor MP Tim Richardson said Kingston kindergartens “need to be able to plan for the long term to cater for student needs”.
“The federal government must end this uncertainty and commitment to its share of the funding. This is an important issue for families in our local community.”
This year’s federal budget will be announced in May.
Mr Abbott has said the budget will be “dull” and “much less exhilarating” than last year’s controversial cost-cutting budget.
The Prime Minister has promised this year’s budget will be “good for families”.
