Families Need Certainty: No More Kinder Surprises

The Andrews Labor Government is continuing the push against Tony Abbott’s haphazard and uncertain approach to early childhood education funding, which is leaving families in the lurch.

Following a meeting of the nation’s Education Ministers in Brisbane today, Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos, said families with young children deserved certainty about the kinder costs and services.

The Abbott Government recently signed up to fund 15 hours of kindergarten for four year olds for two more years, until 2017. Two years isn’t good enough.

Victoria has been pushing for an agreement that provides ongoing funding for kindergartens, so parents know where they stand and early childhood education has a sustainable and long-term future.

Ms Mikakos also called on the Abbott Government to change its approach to vulnerable children who, as a consequence of changes announced in the federal Families Package, are at risk of missing out on childcare.

The combined impact of the Abbott Government’s changes to childcare payments and the family tax benefit will disadvantage vulnerable Victorian children and their families.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Families and Children, Jenny Mikakos

Cuts to childcare payments will mean our most vulnerable children will miss out on the vital years of early learning.” 

“No more kinder surprises, Mr Abbott. Families with young children need certainty and the Federal Government should commit to ongoing funding.”

“High quality early childhood education and care makes a real difference to how children develop and grow.”

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