The users of the Bogan Bush Mobile can breathe a temporary sigh of relief as the service is excluded from the current round of Child Care Funding Changes.
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The childcare reforms passed through parliament last week. According to member for Parkes Mark Coulton, Budget Based Funded services (such as the Bush Mobile) will still receive their funding; “under our reforms they will also have access to hundreds of millions of dollars in additional support and a funding guarantee.”
Bogan Shire director of child services, Nichole Jenkins is relieved.
“We’ll stay as we are for now, for how long we don’t don’t know,” she said.
The Bogan Bush Mobile (BBM) travels to five different Local Government Areas, 11 different venues and sees 200 students per fortnight. Earlier this year the child care reform package caused concern to the BBM staff, who would lose funding and would have to increase the service prices to the parents.
At a recent Budge Based Funded (BBF) Mobile Services Forum, Mrs Jenkins said it seemed the Department of Education was “softening.”
“The meeting was an opportunity for the department to further explain the new package and answer questions and concerns raised by mobile services,” she said.
Whilst the BBF is gaurenteed for now, Mrs Jenkins said she’s not sure how long the funding will be available to the Bush Mobile.
"...the Department of Education explained that services whom transitioned to the ‘alternative funding’ model would be able to take the entire BFF funding amount with them, however there was no security as to how long the amount would be held for,” she said.
Mrs Jenkins also still has concerns about affordability for families.
“Affordability for families, I don’t feel is okay, probably not going to service as many families,” she said.
“But I’m happy if we sit tight, We’ve done as much as can, I’m so proud of the team and I’m so proud of Mobile.”
Mrs Jenkins said the whole BBM is passionate about the early education they provide to rural and regional western NSW.
“We love what we do. We’re passionate about early childhood and the communities in which we work,” she said.
Do you think the government has done enough for the Bush Mobile? Let us know by answering the poll on our website www.nynganobserver.com.au
Grace Ryan
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
Deputy Editor at the Central Western Daily, Orange. You'll mostly find me tinkering in social media and newsletters. Working hard to get our stories in front of your eyes.
