HOBSONS Bay City Council last week voted to reject a pilot plan to provide additional child-care services to residents in the municipality.
The council had been considering implementing a Victorian Family Day Care scheme, an “in venue” operation where “a care provider cares for children in a venue other than their own home”.
According to a council report, the Maternal and Child Health Building in Altona East had been identified as “under utilised” and had been selected as a possible venue for the service.
There are 262 children on the waiting list for one or more of the child care services offered by the municipality, and 121 of these are also on the Family Day Care waiting list, the report said.
Director of community services, Peter Hunt, told the council “if we can provide enough care for even 10-12 families, that would probably be a reasonable outcome.”
However, councillors expressed concern that funding the pilot facility would not have a significant impact on child-care shortages in Hobsons Bay, as it would involve only six families.
Concern was also raised that if successful, the program may lead to a withdrawal of future government funding.
Despite voting against the motion, Altona North Ward Councillor Mary Ann Lindsay said the council was “desperately trying to look for alternatives to the child care shortage in Hobsons Bay.”
