Cash bid for kinders

By Jim Mynard
CASEY council will seek funding of kindergartens for threeyearolds.
Springfield Ward councillor Michael Farley asked the council to seek the funding at a level equal to funding for the fouryearold preschool system.
Cr Farley was responding to a council officers’ report that said the cost to parents for threeyearold kindergartens would be in the range of $367 a term for each child, amounting to nearly $1470 a year.
However, Casey mayor Kevin Bradford said noncouncil conducted threeyearold kindergartens could be run for $100 a term.
Springfield Ward councillor Lorraine Wreford said the council would like to alleviate the cost to parents and said lower costs would lead to higher participation.
“The council needs to offer the service but it needs further investigation.
Four Oaks Ward councillor Rob Wilson said the provision of subsidies would lead to a rush of participation and overload on council facilities.
“Subsidies would create a huge demand and we would not have the space to cope with it in our system,” he said.
“The council would be heavily committed to building.”
Cr Bradford said existing preschool centres would be able to cope with most of the demand.
Balla Balla Ward councillor Colin Butler said some areas would not have the buildings but said the idea should be trailed.
Threeyearold kindergartens operating at Narre Warren, Hampton Park, Tooradin, and Endeavour Hills cater for 190 children.