Contact: Marita Toohey

Tuesday, July 15, 1997.

DAYLESFORD CHILD CARE MEETS NEEDS OF FAMILIES - Dr NAPTHINE

Extensions to the Daylesford Community Child Care Centre reflect the Victorian Government’s commitment to providing flexible care arrangements that meet the needs of modern families, the Youth & Community Services Minister, Dr Denis Napthine said today.

Opening extensions to the West St. centre which have allowed for an extra 20 children, Dr Napthine said the Government is committed to providing a broad range of children’s services.

“Government policies and reforms over the past four years have benefited the community and Victoria's 1.2 million families in the areas of child care, more flexible preschool services, maternal and child health, family support and parenting help,” he said.

Dr Napthine said the $220,000 to expand the Daylesford Community Child Care Centre came from funding through the Commonwealth/State Child Care Agreement.

Victoria has put more money and resources in to the child care sector, and this expansion at Daylesford is a result of an excellent deal negotiated with the Commonwealth to create more than 5600 extra child care places in Victoria as part of the National Child Care Strategy, Dr Napthine said.

Under the strategy, about $17 million is being spent building or upgrading child care centres and more than $10 million in recurrent funding will be provided for the extra places.

“An increasing demand for child care was evident in the Daylesford area, and the Government responded accordingly with extra funding,” Dr Napthine said.

“In recent years there has been an increased demand for child care services outside the family home as more parents, particularly women, return to the workforce or study.

“An increase in the range of services as well as a boost in the number of available places has led to better co-ordination and flexibility of child care services, which in turn, means families have a far greater choice in accessing care.

“Parents of very young children want programs that will provide positive experiences and interactions. And parents want care that bridges the gap between the start and end of a school day.

“Experience shows that the difference between working hours and the school day often adds unnecessary stress, and sometimes places an insurmountable obstacle, to parents’ ability to work,” Dr Napthine said.

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Dr Napthine said Daylesford Community Child Care Centre, opened in 1989, was one of only two multi-functional centres in Victoria providing a range of services to families, including long day care, family day care, after-school care, occasional care and a venue for community groups to meet.

The extra 20 places will allow it to offer 55 places for children needing long day care. There are also a further 17 places available for occasional care.

NOTE:Time & venue of Dr Napthine’s opening: - 2pm today (Tuesday), Daylesford Community Child Care Centre, 81 West St. Daylesford.

Media inquiries:

Graeme Walker, Department of Human Services, Media Unit (03) 9616 7296.

Michael Moore, Press Secretary (03) 9651 5799.

(F:press/Long/gw/14.7.97)