Seven services including one in Rutherglen that offer out of school hours care, mostly in small rural communities were rejected for government funding in recent months, including some that have been reliant on funding for ten years or more.
“I’m aware of at least five services that are at risk of imminent closure without a lifeline from the government,” Dr Haines said.
“If these services close, parents won’t be able to work if they can’t find alternate care.
“This situation will have devastating impacts on hundreds of families and their schools.”
Dr Haines has been working closely with affected services to find a solution, including Indigo North Health’s service operating out of Rutherglen Primary School, Moyhu Primary School, Greta Valley Primary School, Yackandandah Primary School and Whitfield Primary School.
“My office has been working on this matter for weeks and when I first became aware of the issue, I discussed it with Minister Anne Aly in person that very day,” Dr Haines said.
Dr Haines continued the fight for the services, asking a question of the Early Childhood Education Minister in Question Time on Wednesday.
“If these services close, parents won’t be able to work in a cost-of-living crisis,” Dr Haines said in Parliament.
“It is clear there is not enough money in the Community Child Care Fund. Will the Minister stand by while vital childcare services close due to lack of government funding?
Dr Haines has been assisting services in applying for special circumstances funding to keep their doors open. One service has already been successful in receiving special circumstances funds, but others are still waiting for news.
“It’s more than disappointing for these services – it's devastating,” Dr Haines said.
“Over 800 services across Australia met the criteria for funding but only 475 received funding. The need is huge.”
“The services already run on the smell of an oily rag and are based in small communities that are heavily dependent on the funding to deliver out of school hours care for local families.
“I’m worried about the stress this puts on parents who are already doing it tough and the early childcare educators who will be forced out of jobs if the services close.
Dr Haines refuted the response of the Minister for Early Childhood Education, saying the government needs to offer more than sympathy to the services and families that are missing out.
“The minister’s answer showed the Government doesn’t understand the impact the closure of these services will have on these families and communities. They need to act urgently.
"The massive reduction in services that received funding suggests to me that something has gone seriously wrong with the system or how the grant application process was administered.
“This is a problem of the government’s making and something they need to step in and fix it.”
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