Families Fear Losing NH Childcare
Thousands of Victorian families could lose access to childcare from January unless the state and federal governments reinstate funding to subsidise community based occasional childcare.
Over 9,000 families are now caught up in a stoush between the state and federal governments over the subsidies that keep these services operating.
The crisis unfolded last year when the Federal Government cut their share of the jointly funded Take A Break childcare program. The Brumby State Government expanded their contribution to cover the full cost as an interim measure, but the Baillieu State Government elected to pull the plug on the program effective 31 December 2011.
ANHLC has called on both levels of government to come to the table to negotiate a solution to ensure the continued delivery of this vital service.
Without the subsidy Neighbourhood House occasional care centres will be forced to increase fees or shut down.
Many families using Neighbourhood House occasional care are on low incomes and can’t afford increased fees. In some towns there is no other centre-based childcare nearby. Some parents may have to quit work to care for children and others will miss out on essential respite.
Neighbourhood House occasional care centres already run at a loss and have to raise additional funds, others just break even. Childcare staff that may lose their jobs and people won’t be able to do courses/training activities that keep them connected with their communities.
A report prepared for the Federal government in 2007 highlighted the social and economic value of occasional childcare.
The report, written before the funding cuts were announced, also found that many occasional childcare services operate at or below break-even.
“We are talking about a low cost, high impact program,” says Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres (ANHLC) Executive Officer Angela Savage. “Both governments are saving a pittance from cutting these funds, while causing real distress for the 220 communities that will lose services or incur unaffordable fee hikes.”
The ANHLC is campaigning at state and federal levels for a sustainable solution to the occasional child care crisis. “We welcome state Minister for Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell’s initial steps to sustain occasional childcare in small rural communities where services are at risk of closure,” Ms Savage said.
“But the community deserves a comprehensive not ad hoc approach, which recognises that affordable occasional childcare is needed by families throughout Victoria.”
“It is time for governments to stop pointing the finger at each other and to start working on a solution before it is too late,” Ms Savage said.
Sign the National Petition.
Over 9,000 families are now caught up in a stoush between the state and federal governments over the subsidies that keep these services operating.
The crisis unfolded last year when the Federal Government cut their share of the jointly funded Take A Break childcare program. The Brumby State Government expanded their contribution to cover the full cost as an interim measure, but the Baillieu State Government elected to pull the plug on the program effective 31 December 2011.
ANHLC has called on both levels of government to come to the table to negotiate a solution to ensure the continued delivery of this vital service.
Without the subsidy Neighbourhood House occasional care centres will be forced to increase fees or shut down.
Many families using Neighbourhood House occasional care are on low incomes and can’t afford increased fees. In some towns there is no other centre-based childcare nearby. Some parents may have to quit work to care for children and others will miss out on essential respite.
Neighbourhood House occasional care centres already run at a loss and have to raise additional funds, others just break even. Childcare staff that may lose their jobs and people won’t be able to do courses/training activities that keep them connected with their communities.
A report prepared for the Federal government in 2007 highlighted the social and economic value of occasional childcare.
The report, written before the funding cuts were announced, also found that many occasional childcare services operate at or below break-even.
“We are talking about a low cost, high impact program,” says Association of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres (ANHLC) Executive Officer Angela Savage. “Both governments are saving a pittance from cutting these funds, while causing real distress for the 220 communities that will lose services or incur unaffordable fee hikes.”
The ANHLC is campaigning at state and federal levels for a sustainable solution to the occasional child care crisis. “We welcome state Minister for Early Childhood Development Wendy Lovell’s initial steps to sustain occasional childcare in small rural communities where services are at risk of closure,” Ms Savage said.
“But the community deserves a comprehensive not ad hoc approach, which recognises that affordable occasional childcare is needed by families throughout Victoria.”
“It is time for governments to stop pointing the finger at each other and to start working on a solution before it is too late,” Ms Savage said.
Sign the National Petition.
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