Changes underway
Re the NSW government 2017-2018 Start Strong Funding Model for preschools.
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IN MID-SEPTEMBER Premier Mike Baird announced the release of “Universal Access” funding from the federal government of $200 million dollars (of the $351 million dollars) that has been withheld by the NSW state government over the previous three years.
As a result of this the Start Strong Preschool Funding Model has emerged, with many of the “finer points” still to be worked out by the Department of Education.
Hence a great deal of confusion for services and management committees around our state.
Although the early childhood profession is pleased that this funding model will make changes to affordability and accessibility, it does not fund all children.
It takes away family’s choices and our ability to listen and consider community needs because we are being forced to meet the government targets, as this funding is mandatory and the funding is attached to each individual child who fulfils the funding guidelines, which are:
- Attends preschool 15 hours per week (600 hours preschool per year)
- Are four or five year-old children who are attending school the following year.
- Children who turn four on or before July 31.
- Three-year-old children who are: from low socio-economic backgrounds or Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander background or culturally or linguistically diverse background or have additional needs.
The funding still does not cater for all three-year-olds, as preschool funding traditionally did up in NSW until three years ago.
It takes away family’s choice re attendance as children are only eligible for reduced fees if they are enrolled for minimum of 15 hours/week (or two days per week, with our operating hours being 7.5 hour days; 8.30am to 4pm).
To ensure that all eligible children attend the required 15 hours a week, Leeton Preschool will be operating all three rooms five days a week from 2017. The biggest challenge has been the timing of this model release and the mandatory requirement that it is up and running in 2017.
Budgets and fees for next year were set in August, enrolments were taken in early September, and now in the last six weeks of term four there must be drastic adjustments to staffing, operational hours including rooms operating, fees structure and budgets.
All very difficult to manage in such a short time-frame. This has added to the stress and expectations of services, nominated supervisors and management committees, who are all trying to do their absolute best given the mandatory requirements and to have this process researched, developed and implemented for term one, 2017.
We ask that families and the community understand what needs to be achieved at Leeton Preschool in the short time given to ensure the funding is implemented appropriately and appreciate their patience during this time.
Marie Jacobsen
Nominated supervisor
Leeton Preschool
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