Charlotte Varcoe
MILLICENT North Kindergarten has completed its first week of Kindy Care with it being one of 20 sites across the state taking part in the initiative.
The Kindy Care trials follow recommendations by the Royal Commission into Early Childhood Education and Care led by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
It aims to help support families who are increasingly needing care for their children outside of the regular preschool hours.
While many families rely on Out of School Hours Care (OSHC) for their school-aged children, those with younger children are finding it difficult to secure care outside of kindergarten hours.
Millicent North Kindergarten director Tracy Pratt said the initiative was something the kindergarten was strongly wanting due to families needing a bit of extra support and care.
“For us it was more of noticing families were working hard outside the kindergarten to be able to get the children and be able to come to our sessions,” Ms Pratt said.
“It did put a bit of strain on families, especially if they did not have support from some family members, if they were new to our community and that sort of thing.”
She said it was for families of the kindergarten and was only for those who chose to have their children in Kindy Care.
“They get to choose if they are booked in for that day and they still have access to education, the stuff the kindergarten has and an afternoon snack,” Ms Pratt said.
“We also have provisions throughout the day to allow for extra rest for them because it is a longer day.”
She said families were now able to stay a little longer at work and the pressure on having to pick their children up form kindergarten was eased.
“We knew what days were going to be the bigger days people wanted to support,” she said.
“At the moment we are only offering it on Monday and Wednesday afternoons but as we go through it all we are planning on having it Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursdays.”
Ms Pratt said the trial had been well received by families and was something the governing council wanted to support.
“They were very supportive of our trial and put in our application to go for it, so I think it is only going to get better over time,” she said.
“It is still new at the moment but when families talk to other families then they will realise it is a lot less stressful for them and I think being able to have that opportunity is great.
“We wanted to support the community, the families and we are really excited that we were given the chance to be a part of the trail.”
Minister for Education Blair Boyer said Kindy Care helped relieve the pressure on working families by providing their children with continuity of care outside of the regular preschool hours.
“This is an exciting reform that will lead the nation,” Mr Boyer said.
“It builds upon our existing investment into improving government preschool facilities and out-of-hours care, providing families with greater options and a higher quality of education and care.”
He said supporting people to actively participate in the workforce was a “key ambition” of the reforms and would have many wide-reaching benefits.
EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of our #Savesoutheastschools campaign. Let us know what issues your school is facing by using the hashtag, or email us on editorial@tbwtoday.com.au.
