General News
1 December, 2022
Consultation care key
By CHRIS EARLMARTHA Haylett expects the Loddon’s co-located child care centre will be in Wedderburn. But the the likely new Labor MP in Ripon said consultation by the Department of Early Childhood would make sure the centre “is in the right...
By CHRIS EARL
MARTHA Haylett expects the Loddon’s co-located child care centre will be in Wedderburn.
But the the likely new Labor MP in Ripon said consultation by the Department of Early Childhood would make sure the centre “is in the right location”.
Ms Haylett also said planning for the location would include workforce availability assessments.
“We don’t want it to be open and then close for a few days because there isn’t the workforce,” she said.
Ms Haylett said Wedderburn had already done much work on the need for child care services in that town and across the Loddon Shire. She said that ideally, there would be more than one child care centre.
“The announcement (before the election by Premier Andrews of a co-located child care centre) is a game changer for rural communities. We know so many mums and dads in Loddon and across Ripon have raised the lack of child care,” she said.
“It’s important for mental health ... the economy ... our littlest Victorians and I want it built sooner rather than later.
“But we need to do this right.”
Wedderburn College principal Danny Forrest said: “We’re ready to go from 2023 or whenever.
“We’re happy to be first cab off the rank and be the pilot for the rollout of co-located centres.
“We already have people living in local communities with the qualifications to work in a child care centre.
“We’ve done the work, made the case and now the school community and all communities in the shire just want child care available.”
Mr Forrest said that because Loddon Shire was the only part of Victoria in a total child care desert, the department might consider bringing forward its planned 2026 opening date.
“We have all the information ready to do a thorough assessment and evaluation without any delays,” Mr Forrest said. Premier Daniel Andrews’ announcement on Sunday said a Labor government would invest $584 million across the 50 services – with all to be open by 2028.
”And because only Labor will back our incredible early childhood educators, we’ll invest $159 million as part of a major workforce package – to attract, retain, and develop talented and dedicated professionals.
“Labor will help more Victorians kickstart a new career, with 700 extra early childhood scholarships – worth between $12,000 to $34,000 – available to people looking to become early childhood teachers through undergraduate degree pathways. We’ll also deliver extra incentives of between $9,000 and $50,000 for teachers and educators moving into, or re-joining, the sector and for priority services in places that struggle to find qualified staff.”
Wedderburn mothers who last week called for action not advocacy on the Loddon’s child care crisis have cautiously welcomed the news.
Cass Reeves said: “Waiting four years for a centre is better than no centre at all.”
And Tammy Martin said: “It’s great news but I wish they (the government) were a lot more specific about the location.
“Child care is needed now and will be needed in the future in Wedderburn and right across the Loddon Shire ... just a shame it has to be so long to wait.”
Ms Haylett said: “It’s important that we get this done quickly, but it’s also important that we get it done right.
“Whilst others will promise the world and deliver an atlas, I want to be honest with the community and work with them to deliver real outcomes. Labor has a comprehensive plan to consult and build these centres and ensure that they are staffed with world class educators.”
Parents have been campaigning for 18 months to have the Loddon’s child care crisis addressed.