Early Childhood funding at risk on Macleay Island
I have raised this issue with the State Member and the Director General Early Childhood Services in November 2023, see copy of letter to DDG below. This issue is now at crisis point and the State Government needs to act to save this service to the Islands. The loss of regional status under the current Federal government has not helped either. In small communities such as ours, it is critical that there is consultation with the community before new programs are introduced to ensure that they meet community priorities and do not have adverse impacts elsewhere in the community.
Up to 23 December 2023, the State Government had not indicated that a State Kindy was proposed that would mean the closure of the Macelay Early Learning Centre.
WE NEED TO DO THINGS WITH, NOT TO THE COMMUNITY!
| Shane Rendalls <[email protected]> | Tue, Nov 28, 2023, 7:27 AM |  |
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| to DDG.EC |
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Dear Ms Porter
I am writing to you in regard to the potential closure or reduction in services of the Macleay Island Early Childhood Centre because of changes in funding. This is the only facility servicing Macleay, Karragarra and Lamb Islands.
I am writing to you from a background as a parent, grandparent, a local resident closely engaged with the Southern Moreton Bay Islands community, a former manager of child protection and early childhood intervention services and prior president of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands Chamber of Commerce.
Post COVID there has been a marked increase in population growth on the islands with a significant number being low-income young families, including single parent families. They are attracted to the islands due to the relative affordability of housing and island lifestyle. Most of the young families moving to the islands are financially struggling and experiencing multi-level disadvantage. If this service closes, parents cannot simply take their children to another service, or staff transfer to another service- we live on an island and travel time and cost is prohibitive for many parents and staff.
I do not need to explain to you the importance of early childhood services, particularly within areas that are isolated and are experiencing high levels of socio economic disadvantage. Within this context I am particularly concerned about the impact of a reduction in the availability of early childhood services on the Islands in respect to
- Emotional, social and developmental impact of reduced services on children and families
- Impact on children deemed or likely to become ‘at risk’ who are using these services
- Limiting capacity of young parents to engage in the workforce
- Loss of employment and training opportunities provided by the service
- Flow on effect of job losses on the local economy
In small communities such as ours, where many people are experiencing disadvantage and struggling with a range of social, financial, physical and psychological challenges any reduction in social support services is a major concern.
I would urge you to consider what options may be available within the Department or can be implemented in collaboration with your State and Commonwealth colleagues that will retain the service in its current form, or alternative funding options that will enable the service to continue to provide much needed early childhood support services on the Islands. The existing built and human resource capital developed by the service on the Islands are valuable assets and should be protected.
Please feel free to contact me if you would like to discuss existing service gaps on the islands.
Kind regards
Shane Rendalls M: 0423 606 384
