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12 May 2009
A report launched today indicates that preschools are increasing their fees because of inadequate funding from the NSW State Government.
Drowning Not Waving: Community Based Preschools After Years of Funding Neglect, compiled by the NSW Children’s Services Forum, reveals that the average preschool fees are $38.50 per day in metropolitan preschools and $27.70 per day for rural preschools. Preschool fees have increased by approximately 18% over the last three years.
"Community based preschools in NSW receive less State funding than preschools in other states. This disparity has increased significantly over the past two decades," explained Christine Legg, KU's General Manager of Early Childhood Education and Care. "Small increases in funding over the last few years have not bridged the gap, making preschool unaffordable for many NSW families."
"Higher fees restrict access to preschool for low income and disadvantaged families" said Alison Peters, Director of the Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS). "Children from disadvantaged families gain the most benefit from a quality preschool program, helping them transition to school, improving attendance, literacy and numeracy."
“The NSW Government’s new preschool funding system requires preschools to maximise attendance for children attending two days per week” explained Arianne Simon, Director of St Stephens Preschool (Normanhurst). “The low funding from the NSW Government means we have to increase fees and as fees rise families who are struggling withdraw their children from preschool, which reduces our funding further.”
“Access to quality education and care for four year olds is diminishing. This is more pronounced for children experiencing financial and/or locational disadvantage” states Elizabeth Death, Director of UnitingCare Children’s Services.
The Australian Government's goal is for universal access to preschool in the year before school. To achieve this goal, the Australian Government will provide the NSW Government with around $270 million over five years. "The Australian Government funding needs to be distributed wisely and the NSW Government needs to find additional money from its own sources for NSW preschools to become affordable and universally accessible. Whilst the NSW government has increased its investment in NSW preschools over the last few years, a still higher level of funding is needed to ensure these preschools remain viable. Children should not miss out on the benefits of an early childhood education because they were born in NSW" said Carol Lymbery, CEO of Community Child Care Co-operative.
The NSW Children’s Services Forum is comprised of state-wide, not-for-profit community based children's service organisations. The Forum aims to: promote the role of not-for-profit children’s services; advise governments on the quality, range and provision of children's services; and engage in regular dialogue with other stakeholders in children’s services.
The Council of Social Service of NSW (NCOSS) is the peak body for the social and community services sector in New South Wales. NCOSS works with its members on behalf of disadvantaged people and communities towards achieving social justice in NSW. NCOSS provides an independent voice on welfare policy issues and social and economic reforms. It is the major coordinator for non-government social and community services in NSW.
The report is available at http://www.ncoss.org.au/content/view/1909/111
Contact:
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Alison Peters (NCOSS) Mob: 0425 231 814 Tel: 02 9211 2599
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Christine Legg (KU) Tel: 02 9268 3907
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Carol Lymbery (CCCC) Tel: 02 8922 6401
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Ariane Simon (St Stephen's Preschool, Normanhurst) Tel: 02 9489 2058
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Elizabeth Death (UnitingCare Children’s Services) Tel 02 8267 4244
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