Letters Editor
Shepparton News
editor@sheppnews.com.au
9 June 2011
Dear editor,
Councils not to blame for rising kinder fees
Kindergarten is an essential community service. It delivers a vital learning program to prepare children socially, emotionally, intellectually and physically for their entrance to the education system.
Yet Victoria’s kindergarten participation rate is the best nationally - above the 95 per cent target set for 2013, largely due to the significant ongoing voluntary contribution of local government.
Councils invest in and operate kindergartens because they know the importance of this program. Other levels of government have also recognised its importance by putting in place national reforms to make it more accessible and improve service quality. It is now also referred to as ‘Early Childhood Education’, yet is not funded on a par with the rest of the education system.
Councils have again stepped in to fill the breach. They respond to community concerns, invest heavily in kindergarten provision, and bear the brunt of criticism when demand exceeds places, and fees rise.
But let’s be clear. The need for an increase in parent fees is not due to any failure of councils. The majority of Victoria’s kindergartens are run under a ‘community model’ on a not-for-profit basis by community groups, cluster managers or parent cooperatives. To operate, kindergartens cost money.
So councils are left asking the hard question - what is the right balance of ratepayer funding and user pays to ensure the program can survive, and meet both State and Federal requirements?
There is no right answer. But there is also no alternative given the absence of alternative sources of funding, particularly from those governments who have established the policies, service expectations and regulations.
This is a national program, partly funded by the State and regulated through state laws. But kinders are not fully funded because the community sector, local government subsidies, in-kind support, fundraisers and an over-reliance on parent fees have done the job too well in Victoria for too long.
Councils have voluntarily assumed a role in providing kindergarten solutions and deserve a "fair go".
Yours sincerely,
Cr Bill McArthur
MAV PRESIDENT