Toddler power set to hit

TEACHERS and parents are taking a preschool protest to the steps of State Parliament.
Kindergartens from around the Pakenham and Berwick districts are joining a statewide push for changes to the early education system.
The action day has been organised by lobby group Parents for Preschool Education (PPE).
The group is campaigning to have responsibility for preschools shifted from the Department of Human Services to the Department of Education and Training (DET).
PPE spokeswoman Cherylle Hampton said parents were concerned about what she said were the many problems facing the preschool system.
Mrs Hampton, from Upper Beaconsfield, said preschools from around Victoria were preparing banners as a show of support for the action day on Wednesday, 23 August.
Protesters plan to present a petition to state MPs calling for change.
“We need to make it clear to the State Government that without real reform, our current preschool system is not sustainable,” Mrs Hampton said.
“Support for this campaign in our local community is very strong and many parents will ride the train into town next Wednesday to represent their preschools and all Victorian children.”
Mrs Hampton said preschools needed to be recognised as a vital first step in children’s education.
She said recent reforms had helped but teachers and parents remained concerned the problems were only being plastered over with ‘BandAid’ solutions.
“Education from the beginning lays the foundations for children’s life chances.
“The early years are most critical and I call on the government to recognise preschool as education and invest in our children,” Mrs Hampton said.
The National and Liberal parties have supported transferring responsibility for preschools to the DET.
But the State Government has distanced itself from the plan, instead advocating a new ‘cluster’ system designed to ease the pressures on parents and strengthen kindergarten services.
Minister for Children Sherryl Garbutt was in Bunyip recently to announce funding for clusters in Cardinia Shire.
“Cluster management groups kindergartens together under the one manager easing the pressure on parent committees,” Ms Garbutt said.
“The new system will free up parents to spend more time with the children and focus on the learning programs as well as improve planning and employment conditions for staff.”
Mrs Garbutt said state funding for kindergarten services had increased by 109 per cent since 1999.
“The Bracks Government is making Victoria a great place to live and raise a family,” she said.
“We are investing heavily in children’s services across the state because we know how important it is for communities — especially young families.”
Mrs Hampton said the cluster system was a step forward but did not provide an answer for all of the problems facing the preschool system. Paul Dunlop