Swan Hill Rural City Council's Vacation Care program in Swan Hill, has recorded a surge in demand, forcing them to close bookings for the April program, just two weeks after opening.
Director Community and Cultural Services, Bruce Myers said since November 2020 there has been a huge surge in demand for their primary school age children in both the After School Program and Vacation, operated out of Swan Hill Primary School.
"Bookings for the April Vacation Care program opened one week ago and we have already received more applications than available places – we simply are not able to meet the current demand.
"We understand that this is extremely frustrating for our customers and staff," Mr Myers said.
Mr Myers said recruitment of suitably qualified educators is always an ongoing challenge for the program.
"There is a very heavy reliance on casual educators - many of whom are university students and the timing of university semesters does not always match the school holidays.
"Most of our casual educators also have other casual jobs that can offer more hours per shift and so we are often the last choice for them as they try to increase their personal income," he added.
Mr Myers said Council believes that there is enough demand for another Out of School Hours Care program in Swan Hill.
"In December 2020 we wrote to all of the local primary schools and long day care centres and informed them of the current increase in demand and the current grants available for new Out of School Hours program providers from the Victorian State Government.
"There has been a very positive response and we will be supporting any school or new provider interested in starting a new Out of School Hours program," he said.
Mr Myers acknowledged that our current challenges will be ongoing and said Council is implementing measures to improve customer service and support program staff.
"Until we have another program operating there will be many families disappointed and frustrated that we do not have capacity to meet the current demand for places – we apologise to these families and we will continue working towards a better outcome," Mr Myers said.
