By Laura Michell
Kindergartens across the Macedon Ranges have re-opened, but will only be running four-year-old programs.
Macedon Ranges council’s eight kindergartens re-opened for term two on April 16, after they were closed by the council on March 24 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
At the time, council chief executive Margot Stork said kindergarten attendance rates were falling daily as many families opted to keep their children home.
The council opted to begin term two with two child-free days to plan a new kindergarten program and explore models for delivering remote learning.
The council said kinder sessions would be free for term two following the announcement of a state government package to support kindergarten programs and jobs and ensure children could continue to access early childhood education.
Ms Stork said that while kindergartens had re-opened, it was understood that some parents may choose to keep their children at home
“We’d like to assure parents that we will hold the places for any registered child whether the child attends kindergarten in term two or not,” she said.
Ms Stork said the council would not be running three-year-old kinder programs this term.
She said it was likely attendance numbers for three-year-old kinder would be low, given the drop in attendance last term.
“Families of registered three-year-old children who would like their children to attend kindergarten should contact the early years unit to discuss their needs,” she said.
“We may be able to accommodate some of these children within our four-year-old kindergarten programs in term two.”
Ms Stork also said there would be no students on placements at Macedon Ranges kinders, nor would there be parent helpers, incursions, face-to-face meetings with parents or parent committee meetings until further notice.
She urged parents to contact staff members by phone should they wish to discuss their child’s progress.
For more information, call 5422 0333.
