TRANSCRIPT:
Free kinder is a great idea in theory, but unfortunately the reckless rollout of the program is already having a negative impact on our regional kindergartens and our children. Staff shortages across the sector have been amplified, and classes are now being combined to compensate for the lack of available teachers. One school has stated that in order to receive kindergarten funding from this government it must now run a mixed-age program that has seen three- and four-year-old kindergarten classes jammed together.
Concerned parents have already reached out to me to say they are worried about how this will impact their child’s education and wellbeing. Broadford-based mother Amanda Wallace said:
With limited places in the area and the change being delivered with such short notice, there is currently no other option for these children.
Seymour mother Samantha Irving said:
[QUOTE AWAITING VERIFICATION]
We weren’t told anything beforehand. I got an email on the Thursday saying it would be in effect the following day. My daughter was in one class one week then moved the next. What will happen next year? Will she have to still be there in the same class learning the same things one year on?
These parents were not consulted, and the decision has been made suddenly and without time for the staff, parents or children to prepare. While we want to make kinder accessible for all, this is not the way to do it. The poorly executed kinder reforms are another example of Labor’s city-centric policy which ignores the impact it will have on regional Victoria, with a 500-teacher shortfall by 2028.