Greater Shepparton City Council is transitioning out of providing its Family Day Care service from 30 September 2023.
Family Day Care is a home-based education and care service for children from birth to the end of primary school. A Family Day Care educator cares for children in their own home.
In recent years, the number of educators contracted by Council to provide this service has significantly declined, despite several campaigns to attract new educators.
This situation has reached a point that it is no longer viable to maintain the necessary support team and infrastructure in compliance with the National Education and Care Services Law and associated regulations.
Council is working with educators to facilitate their transition to operating under alternative providers, wherever possible. All families and educators have been notified of the decision.
Council's Director Community, Louise Mitchell, said exiting the service was a difficult but necessary decision.
"Any new recruitment has been more than offset by educators exiting the scheme. Council is always monitoring our services to ensure responsible use of ratepayer funds," she said.
"We will support educators and families to transition to new arrangements, and will prioritise continuity of education and care for children in this process."
The three-month transition period will allow Council staff time to support families and educators to transition to new arrangements.
