Amy Hume
THE brakes are still on for State and Federal government Take a Break Occasional Care funding, affecting at least three childcare centres in Mitchell.
State Government funding for the program dries up in December and neither government has reviewed its stance on the issue, leaving district residents with little hope that the program will continue as before.
Wallan Neighbourhood House co-ordinator Pauline Cornish said action needs to be taken now to be fair to staff, parents and co-ordinators of the program.
“We have to start planning for next year. Decisions need to be made at the end of this month – we need to start organising staff,” Ms Cornish said.
Wallan Neighbourhood House has budgeted to keep the program going but co-ordinators say it will come at a cost.
“Take A Break is an important part of the Neighbourhood House,” Ms Cornish said.
“We’re going to stay on but we will run with reduced numbers and reduced staff. It’s a shame that someone could lose their job.
“We can have up to 22 children on some days but that number will drop to 17.”
She said that, without the government funding, prices may also increase for parents.
The program was previously jointly funded by State and Federal Governments until the Federal Government withdrew its portion of the funding in May last year.
The former State Government stepped in to fund the program until June 30 and funding was recently extended until December.
Member for Northern Victoria Region Candy Broad visited Wallan Neighbourhood House on Thursday.
“It’s not a question of whether there is enough funding, it’s a question of whether it is a priority,” Ms Broad said.
“Neighbourhood Houses do a terrific job but need to draw on that funding to support the community. It’s a bit much for the centres to get funding on their own.”
Ms Broad called on the Baillieu-Ryan Government to follow the lead of the
Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland and NSW State Governments in continuing funds for the childcare service.
In August the Coalition announced that it would reinstate funding for Take A Break if it won government.
Shadow Minister for Children and Young Adults Jenny Mikakos said she had lobbied her Federal counterparts to reinstate funding for the program.
Take A Break is provided at more than 220 neighbourhood houses and community centres across Victoria. The future of the program still remains uncertain for many centres.
