Melton council has welcomed the federal government’s decision to reinstate funding for council-run occasional care and supported playgroups.
Ongoing funding has been increased from $58,270 to $176,400 a year, to be used to hire extra staff.
The council operates three playgroups – Mum and Me for incarcerated mothers and their children at the Dame Phyllis Frost Centre; Bubbles at Melton Central for children with special needs; and Square Pegs at Caroline Springs shopping centre, which is aimed at finding families who are not engaged in support services.
The extra funding will require the council to increase the number of playgroups from three to 10; integrate Smalltalk activities, which teach parents better ways of communicating with their children; and provide in-home support to eligible families.
The funding boost will also give more vulnerable families access to supported playgroups, a council report states.
“The flexible service model allows for a component of the service to be provided in the home to support families with increased need,” the report states.
“[It] incorporates an evidence-based program [Smalltalk] to improve children’s wellbeing and learning outcomes by increasing parental capacity.”
Occasional care groups at Parkwood Green, Springside, Creekside and Melton Central have each received $15,000 over the next four years. Council has been running this service for almost 25 years, providing short-term care for children from babyhood to pre-school.
