By Callum Ludwig
Warburton Primary School has been successful in receiving a grant to establish an outside school hours care service to help service kids and families in the Upper Yarra.
They are one of 121 schools that will receive up to $75,000 each year over the next two years to help meet the demand for these services, as well as provide support for costs including resources or equipment, setup and administration, staffing, training and transport.
Acting Principal Nathan Van Der Monde said it will be game-changing for the school and the Upper Yarra area.
“For Warburton and surrounding areas, it’s going to make a really big difference, particularly for working families and other people who need that before and after school care time,” he said.
“It also makes our school more feasible in terms of our longevity into the future because so many students are going further down the Warburton Highway and attending other schools for before and after school care on-site. Hopefully now with enrollments coming in, we’re hoping that families who need it will think of us as a viable option.”
The grants come as part of the third round of this funding, with another set to take place next year that would bring the total number of schools that have benefitted over 400.
Mr Van Der Monde said an outside school hours care service can be the difference between parents sending their kids to the school they want rather than the school they have to.
“It really improves the options parents and carers have when they are thinking of where to send their child, especially with the demographic of work changing so much in Warburton with people working further afield and maybe not having as much flexibility,” he said.
“At the moment, the only other options are in Yarra Junction or Woori Yallock, or children have t travel by bus. It will be open to the general community as well, it won’t just be for Warburton Primary School. We know Millwarra Primary School has their own little bus and could bus kids in and out and use this as a base.”
The funding is also set to be used to help establish vacation care for the school holiday period, where children have a program for the school holidays likely to include activities and excursions and allow parents and carers a flexible option while their children are away from school.
Mr Van Der Monde said there are several families who are already interested in utilising the service.
“A lot of our parents have been really positive about it, particularly those who live further out or have kids getting a bus. We will also be offering a hot breakfast every morning, which is another big drawcard,” he said.
“Mornings are busy, so kids will have a nice, gentle start to their day and parents can avoid a hectic rush.”
Minister for Education Natalie Hutchins announced the round of funding and said by creating more outside school hours care services, the State Government is helping parents and carers to get back to work, study, or training.
“While ensuring their kids are cared for before and after school hours, as well as during school holidays,” she said.
“These grants will provide a huge benefit to our schools and busy working families across the state.”
