Parents frustrated by Bunyip kinder times

Two mowers were stolen from a property at Shady Creek Rd, Yarragon on December 12.

A Massport ride on and a Honda push mower were stolen from a shed on the property.

A security camera was stolen from a property at Eade Avenue, Warragul.

The camera, valued at $500 was stolen between 3pm on December 16 and 11pm on December 17.

A black road racing bicycle valued at $2500 was stolen from a house in Toorak Avenue, Warragul on December 17.

The bike was stolen from a garage after thieves lifted the roller door to gain access.

Bunyip parents have been left confused and frustrated after failing to secure preferred placements at Bunyip Kindergarten for 2018.

Jenna Blackwood is one parent who was left in limbo. She was notified just last month that her child was enrolled in a two-day program running from 9am to 4.30pm instead of a three-day program running from 9.15am to 2.15pm.

Worried about her child coping with long days as well as the impact on work and daycare arrangements, Ms Blackwood said she became aware of several other families in the same situation.

Having been placed on a waiting list and forced to explore other kindergarten centres, her child has since gained a place in her preferred three-day program. Ms Blackwood emphasised she wasn’t speaking out because of “missing out” but due to the number of Bunyip families impacted and frustration in the process.

“I don’t want this to happen again,” said Ms Blackwood. “At the end of the day, our kids are important to us and they need the best start.”

Having had an older child attend Bunyip Kindergarten, she added “we never had any issues and I never thought it would be an issue”.

Parents indicated they filled out an email survey in January to preference days and times. This was followed up by a survey from service provider “bestchance” in August asking parents to select their preferred program.

Ms Blackwood understood there was a 50-50 split between parents wanting long and short days in the first survey. However, a significant number of families missed out on the shorter day program after the August selection.

“Between January and August, obviously heaps have changed their minds and been given priority,” she said.

Cardinia Shire Council said a small number of parents had contacted council in relation to not being allocated their preferred group.

“In response to some parents expressing their dissatisfaction with their group allocation, ‘bestchance’ has been exploring options that will best meet the needs of the majority of Bunyip Kindergarten families, as well as having the least impact on the management of operations,” said Cardinia Shire in response to Gazette enquiries.

As a result, a “make-up” session of three hours will be offered to those in the two-day program wishing to reduce their sessions from 7.5 hours in length to six hours.

“This option means that families who have already been offered, and accepted, their groups will not be impacted, as well as providing the two-day, 7.5-hour option to those families that require it,” said Cardinia Shire.

They added there had not been an increase in demand at the kindergarten, with enrolments consistent with 2017 and vacancies still available for 2018. The new timetable is also the same as the current 2017 timetable.

In response to questions about the survey emailed to parents in January, Cardinia Shire said after inquiries to Kinders Together and “bestchance” that “a survey was not sent out to parents in January”.

“In August 2017, ‘bestchance’ surveyed all families to determine the preferred program model. The survey feedback proposed two different groups that would meet the needs of the majority of families and offer them a choice.

Cardinia Shire also stated that families were informed of group allocation in the past during an annual general meeting/information session usually held in October/November.

“This year, ‘bestchance’ provided confirmation of group allocations in early November.”