By JOHN VAN KLAVEREN
Geelong’s council is squeezing not-for-profit kindergartens out of leased buildings and installing its own kinders instead, according to Geelong Kindergarten Association (GKA).
Managing director Tina Martin said the majority of the association’s kinders operated from City of Greater Geelong (CoGG) buildings.
“These previously long-term agreements are currently being replaced by 12-month leases,” Ms Martin said.
“The past year has seen lease agreements at Barwon Heads Kindergarten and Norlane North Shore Kindergarten not being renewed, resulting in GKA being unable to provide kindergarten programs at these locations.
“At the same time CoGG has opened new integrated hubs in both areas.
“CoGG’s municipal children’s services infrastructure plan 2013-2030 identifies a number of recommendations pertaining to council-owned buildings and facilities accommodating children’s services, including the establishment of more integrated hubs.
“If implemented, these recommendations are expected to impact on existing GKA kindergartens.”
GKA delivers early-childhood education programs in 24 kindergartens across the City for about 1100 children in four-year-old programs and 400 in three-year-old kinder.
A Drumcondra parent who also contacted the Independent about the issue was concerned about the City forcing GKA to reduce its services.
“Here we have a local government authority using ratepayer’s monies to systematically create monopolies in the early-childhood environment,” the parent wrote.
GKA was formed in 1994 following changes in government funding and local council amalgamations. Voluntary committees of management had found financial management and employment of staff increasingly difficult, with GKA taking over both responsibilities.
But council’s community development portfolio holder, Kylie Fisher, said services would be unaffected.
“The kinders we are replacing are old facilities that need renewal. They are being replaced with family hubs with a co-located range of early childhood services,” Cr Fisher said.
“We’re updating and upgrading kinder services. In fact, communities will gain extra early childhood services in the integrated hubs.
“The current kindergarten services can’t offer playgroups or speech therapy, which can be offered through an integrated centre.”
Cr Fisher said GKA would continue to offer services at stand-alone kinders where no integrated centre was required.
“GKA still have a function in that space, even though it will be at a reduced number,” she said.
