SCOTT MORRISON: DON’T CUT KINDERGARTEN

Around 2,576 four years olds across the Ballarat electorate have begun their first steps of early learning in the past week, as they begin kindergarten.
 
This is an exciting time for Ballarat families and their children, a moment that parents will always remember.
 
However, because of the Morrison Government this may be the very last year that 4 year old kids in Ballarat will get the opportunity to access kinder.  
 
Scott Morrison has failed to extend kindergarten funding for four year olds beyond this school year – after his child care changes cut early education from some of Australia’s most vulnerable children.
 
Our children, parents and providers all rely on this critical funding, and if this cut goes ahead they will be unable to plan for the future, sign long term leases, lock in employment contracts or make budgets for 2020.
 
For those families in Ballarat with three years olds who are planning to send their children to kindergarten next year, under the Liberals they will lose more than $1,200 in funding per child.
 
“This will mean higher fees for families or lower quality kindergarten for our children, all because of Scott Morrison,” Ms King said.
 
“Not only is this funding uncertainty terrible for families, it is also terrible for providers and their staff, who have no guarantee that they will be in a job after the end of the year.”
  
Across Victoria there are more than 98,000 children who will miss out under the Liberal’s cuts. 

  
“Across Australia, this out of touch government is leaving nearly 350,000 children without access to early education.”
 
“In contrast, Labor’s National Preschool and Kindy Program will see the biggest ever in investment for children across Australia and deliver ongoing funding for four year olds and, for the first time, extend this to three year olds.”
 
“Labor will work in partnership with the states and territories to deliver this important reform, including in setting enrolment and attendance targets, particularly for Indigenous and vulnerable children.”
 
“The Liberals see education as a cost – that’s why they’ve cut $14 billion from public schools and left preschool funding in limbo. Labor sees it as an investment in our economic future and our children’s futures.”

“Only Labor will give every child the early education opportunities they need for the best start in life.”