By Laura Michell
Whittlesea and Hume councils are warning families could be $2000 out of pocket if the federal government doesn’t commit to funding kinder on an ongoing basis.
The councils have joined with other Victorian councils for the Municipal Association of Victoria’s I Love Kinder campaign, which calls on the government to secure funding beyond December.
Whittlesea mayor Lawrie Cox said currently the federal government funds five hours kindergarten a week for every four-year-old, while the state government funds 10 hours.
There are 2558 children enrolled in kindergarten in Whittlesea this year.
“If the federal government does not provide ongoing funding, families throughout Australia could be worse off and children could miss out on the quality education they deserve,” Cr Cox said.
“Families could be stuck paying an extra $2000 [in fees] out of their own pockets – that is simply unacceptable.”
Hume mayor Carly Moore said kindergarten helped children make the transition to primary school.
“We need our children to arrive at school ready to learn and kindergarten provides this important platform for our young residents,” she said.
To get involved in the I Love Kinder campaign visit: ilovekinder.org.au
