HORSHAM Rural City Council will start a campaign for the federal government to continue funding 15 hours per week of early childhood education.
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Member for Mallee Andrew Broad has already started his own campaign and has written to the minister responsible to advocate for a new deal.
Mr Broad told the Mail-Times he wanted the existing funding arrangement to continue.
“The state government funds 10 hours per week and the Gillard government funded an extra five,” he said.
“We have continued to do that, that funding is due to run out at the end of 2017 and I have written to the Education Minister requesting that the federal contribution be continued.”
“It’s $840 million across the country but across the Wimmera-Mallee there have been a lot of kindergartens that councils have built and their viability depends on 15 hours per week.”
Horsham Councillors voted on Monday night to write to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, Education Minister Simon Birmingham and Minister for Social Services Christian Porter.
Horsham council staff will seek a meeting with relevant Ministers and their staff when municipal governments from the Wimmera Councils travel to Canberra in late March.
Horsham council will also seek to meet with Mr Broad during the trip to Canberra.
Cr Alethea Sedgman, who has a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, said early learning was crucial for social and cognitive development.
“From personal experience, I’m fully aware of the importance of early childhood,” she said.
“We understand the early years are an important part of life and the zero to five period is when your brain is developing and kindergarten is vital for that.
“That’s the future for society. We need to let them know that we are upset they’re trying to cut that. 15 hours isn’t enough as it is.”
Cr David Grimble said it was an important issue and Horsham council should argue for it.
Horsham council Mayor Pam Clarke said an extra five hours of early childhood education made a huge difference.
“When you spend money on early childhood education, you save money elsewhere on prisons, drug rehabilitation and welfare,” she said.
“Working families could end up with an extra $2000 per year in costs.”