Council-run family day care services may close or be forced to raise fees by as much as $35 a week because of federal funding cuts.
Whittlesea community services director Russell Hopkins says the council is concerned about the withdrawal of funding, which would put 27 jobs on the line.
“The family day care (FDC) service is particularly well used by culturally and linguistically diverse families and children,” Mr Hopkins said.
“Sixteen of our educators were born in another country and many of them speak languages other than English. The scheme gives them important employment opportunities.”
He said the council had provided the FDC services in the area for more than 30 years and received about $85,000 a year in federal government support to ensure trained professional staff and quality care at a reasonable cost were in place.
“Family day care is not just about the benefits for the children,” Mr Hopkins said. “It also provides employment for educators, who in turn offer education and care options for parents to allow them to participate in the workforce. It provides employment opportunities for staff, who then support the educators.”
Mr Hopkins said the federal government had proposed cutting funding to councils if private operators set up in the same area.
“As there are 12 private family day care services in our region, council’s service will not be eligible for the federal government funding,” he said.
Federal Scullin MP Andrew Giles described the Abbott government’s cuts of $157 million as an attack on some of the most vulnerable communities.
“This funding cut will mean families will either have to pay more in fees or see their children out of care when services close,” Mr Giles said.
“If services choose to stay open, Family Day Care Australia estimates that fees will rise by around $35 a week.
“Some families will find any fee increase unaffordable.”
