Melton council is rejoicing after the federal government’s decision to reinstate funding for council-run occasional care and supported playgroups.
Ongoing funding for supported playgroups has increased from $58,270 to $176,400 per year, which will be used to hire extra staff.
Currently, 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 services.
The additional federal government funding will require council to increase the number of playgroups from three to 10, integrate Smalltalk activities, and provide in-home support to eligible families.
It will also allow more “vulnerable” families to access supported playgroups among other benefits, a council report presented at last week’s meeting 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.
“The new model will incorporate an evidence-based program [Smalltalk] to improve children’s wellbeing and learning outcomes by increasing parental capacity.
“[And] a greater emphasis on, and capacity for, referral of families to other universal early years services and assistance with their transition out of supported playgroups.”
Meanwhile, 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 nearly 25 years, providing short term (three to fours per day) care for children aged between six weeks and years.
Community services general manager Maurie Heaney said the additional funding was “good news” particularly for vulnerable families.
