June 2003

Preschool proves the best foundation for children

Minister for Community Services Sherryl Garbutt has highlighted the importance of parent-teacher partnerships to the success of preschools.

Launching the Kindergarten Parents Victoria Foundation Day at the Children’s Museum in Carlton, Ms Garbutt said partnerships with parents were vital to the success of preschool and the high quality of the preschool program was due to the commitment of preschool teachers.

Foundation Day celebrates the importance of preschool as a critical stepping-stone for young children in their journey of independence and lifelong learning.

Minister Garbutt thanked parents, teachers and children for taking part in Foundation Day celebrations and for their respective contributions to preschools.

She said the value of the preschool experience was being increasingly recognised by Victorian families, so much so that the preschool participation rate has increased to 97.2 per cent for 2003.

‘This is up from 96.4 per cent last year and the highest participation rate in the last decade.

‘The 97.2 per cent participation figure is an astonishingly successful response to a non-compulsory program.

‘There will always be some parents who exercise a different choice or lifestyle when their children are four years old.’

Ms Garbutt said the Government would continue to strengthen the delivery of preschool services in Victoria and had invested an additional $1 million in preschool services in 2003–04.

In addition, a $5 million initiative would fund the purchase of computer equipment in preschools and IT training and support for teachers.

‘There is also $8 million over three years for new preschools to ensure that in new growth areas, areas of high migrant population and under-serviced areas, families can participate in the benefits of preschool education.

‘A further $8 million will be provided over the term of the Government to bring together at particular locations a whole range of services to support young children and their families.

‘These children’s hubs will make it easier for parents and children to visit preschool, childcare, maternal and child health and specialist services such as speech therapists, psychologists and nutritionists—all at the one spot.

‘These children’s hubs will help parents to look after their families needs.

‘This is really the nub of what we are on about—making it easier for families and their children to manage.

‘These initiatives together with excellent participation rates at preschool reflect the value that the community places on preschool,’ Ms Garbutt said.