Last year, the State Government announced an expanded kindergarten reform with the introduction of ‘Free Kinder’ and up to 30 hours per week of ‘Pre-Prep’ for 4 year olds. The improved service will allow approximately 28,000 Victorians to return to work should they chose to.
The reform is the largest of its kind in Victoria’s history, fundamentally redesigning the delivery of kindergarten programs to allow all Victorian children access to two years of funded kindergarten prior to formal schooling. Pre-Prep will be introduced over the next decade.
Early childhood education and kindergarten is the responsibility of the State Government through the Department of Education. Kindergarten plays a big part in a child’s life. Through a play-based curriculum, children make friends and develop important skills that support their transition to school.
Across the Mornington Peninsula, there are 70 services providing funded kindergarten programs. Of these, 27 sessional kindergartens are based in Shire-owned buildings. One facility is also located on a primary school site and is leased by the Shire from the State Government. These 28 services are governed by volunteer parent committees of management or an Early Years Manager and the buildings are maintained by Mornington Peninsula Shire.
Mornington Peninsula Shire, like all Councils, is under no obligation to provide kindergarten infrastructure, although we have done so for many years. We have historically worked in partnership with the State Government, Early Years Managers and the individual committees of management that run the kindergarten programs.
The policy and legislative landscape in the early years sector is ever-changing, and over the last decade, we have invested $7.2 million in our kindergarten buildings. However, the latest reform puts an enormous pressure on the Shire and all other local governments.
Of the 28 Shire-owned or maintained facilities delivering kindergarten programs, 25 facilities will likely need to change the way they operate or require significant investment in infrastructure to deliver on the expanded reform. While some facilities may have capacity for traditional or modular extensions, many sites can’t accommodate for an additional room as there is simply not enough space. These services may be required to relocate.
These major upgrades are estimated to cost close to $53.6 million fortraditional builds. With an annual capital works budget of $50 million this is not something Mornington Peninsula Shire can fund on our own. The State Government has promised $1.8 billion towards the rollout of this reform. Funding is available through their Building Blocks Grants Program to support expansion of kindergarten infrastructure, including expansion grants for building projects and grants for modular kindergarten buildings. Unfortunately, the funding does not fully cover project costs, fit out costs or the increased maintenance costs placed on Council to manage additional or expanded facilities.
We are in the process of working with the State Government to determine what solutions and options are available, including progressing those projects and grant applications that were already underway prior to the recent announcements.
Across the Peninsula our junior residents laugh, play, learn and create life-long memories attheir kindergartens. We want local kindergartens to thrive inthe future, and with financial help or alternative solutions provided by the State Government they can.
Quotes attributable to Mayor Councillor Steve Holland:
“Right now, the future of some local kindergartens is in jeopardy due to the impact of an expanded kindergarten program and lack of appropriate funding. We are committed to continue our long- standing partnership with the State Government through planning for the needs of children and families in our municipality, but we cannot fund these necessary upgrades or continue to maintain these facilities on our own.
“We are obligated to allocate funds in our Budget equitably to benefit the whole community, including facilities for seniors, people experiencing vulnerability, young people, community groups, sporting groups and community support organisations.”
Quotes attributable to Cr Antonella Celi, Council’s Health and Wellbeing committee rep:
“Kindergartens are a vital early learning service for our children and families. It is where new friends are made and families connect.
“The Shire is proud to provide facilities for the State Government’s funded kindergarten programs, and we want to continue to look after our kindergarten buildings so they are fit for purpose and properly maintained.
“It is vital that Council continues to advocate to the State Government about the impact of these reforms on infrastructure provision and the additional burden on Councils’ resources to maintain, refurbish, expand and build additional kindergartens to meet the extra demand for the service on the Mornington Peninsula.”
