Bayside is committed to maintaining our existing kindergartens in Hampton and other areas, while calling on the Victorian Government to fulfill its responsibilities of funding the necessary expansion of kindergarten infrastructure across the municipality to meet growth.
The Victorian State Government's new "Best Start, Best Life" kindergarten program is placing significant pressure on places, with the introduction of 30 hours a week 4-year-old kindergarten and 15 hours a week 3-year-old kindergarten by 2036. Council's existing kindergartens cannot meet the expanded kindergarten hours.
Council investigated options for creating additional places in Hampton which is set to face an estimated shortfall of 235 kindergarten places by 2036. The options included the feasibility of expanding Hampton Community Kindergarten and Helen Paul Kindergarten as well as considering additional locations.
Council will now work with Hampton Community Kindergarten and Helen Paul Kindergarten to collaboratively plan for future kindergarten needs in Hampton, ensuring that existing community-run services are central to any growth strategy.
Council provides a central enrolment service for kindergartens who choose to participate and is the owner of 19 Bayside kindergarten buildings. Council does not operate kindergarten services.
Bayside Mayor, Debbie Taylor-Haynes said, "The Victorian Government has introduced the "Best Start, Best Life" policy and has failed to express how it will facilitate the infrastructure to support it.
"Our analysis indicates that, by 2036, Bayside will face a significant shortage of kindergarten places. Meeting demand created by the State Government's reforms would require a significant investment -conservatively estimated at $65 million, representing an immense cost shift to local government.
"I understand the anxiety and fear of families in Bayside with the pressure being placed on facilities through the kindergarten policy and the purported growth in our suburbs due to the State's Activity Centres Program.
"Council is committed to advocating for funding on our community's behalf and will continue to provide support where possible, including $4.25 million across 3 years from 2025/26 for early assets renewal."
Council will further investigate opportunities to deliver increased kindergarten facilities across the municipality at no cost to Council.
Council will continue to advocate to the Victorian Government and seek funding to meet the shortfall of kindergarten facilities in Bayside.
