QUEENSLAND INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION INDEPENDENT EDUCATION UNION OF AUSTRALIA – QUEENSLAND & NORTHERN TERRITORY BRANCH BRISBANE 346 TURBOT ST SPRING HILL QLD 4000 PO BOX 418 FORTITUDE VALLEY
Phone: 07 3839 7020 Fax: 07 3839 7021 Freecall: 1800 177937 Email: enquiries@qieu.asn.au Internet: www.qieu.asn.au ABN: 45 620 218 712
Thursday, 5 August 2010
Ref: ECE-CB10006js
Early Childhood Education
CHAPTER BRIEFING No. 6
Funding for Kindergartens Will be distributed through a Central Governing Body Dear Colleague The Queensland Government has announced that funding for Community Kindergartens will be distributed through a Central Governing Body (CGB). The CGBs will fill the role which was previously unique to the Crèche and Kindergarten Association. On behalf of employees in Community Kindergartens your Union has, and will be, active in consultations around the role and selection of CGBs. Identity of CGBs yet to be determined There are currently no approved Central Governing Bodies in Queensland. The Queensland Government has invited a small number of organisations to apply to become CGBs. We understand that no organisation will be approved as a CGB until at least September 2010. The Government is still in the process of receiving submissions on the criteria to be fulfilled by a CGB. Kindergartens have until 30 June 2011 to choose their CGB It will not be until September or October 2010 that a Kindergarten committee will know the identity of the various CGBs. Consequently, the Government has formally announced that all Kindergartens will have until 30 June 2011 to choose their CGB. Kindergartens should not, therefore, feel pressured to make any commitment regarding the entity they may use to access the State Government funding. Functions of a CGB The most obvious function of a CGB will be to distribute, in a timely manner, the funds provided for Kindergartens in accordance with the Kindergarten Funding Scheme.
There will also be a requirement that the CGB provide advice and support to Kindergartens so that the Kindergarten will be able to meet the eligibility criteria determined by Government for individual Kindergartens. The CGB will be responsible for collecting statistical information from Kindergartens and providing that information to Government. Importantly, CGBs will be expected to provide professional advice relating to the overall development and wellbeing of children who attend the Kindergartens which use that CGB. IEUA submission on the role of a CGB Any entity which wants to fill the role of a CGB must: (a)
Demonstrate experience in the delivery and/or support of early childhood education programs;
(b)
Demonstrate ability to provide support and advice to services regarding program management and administration;
(c)
Demonstrate experience in effective management of funds; and
(d)
Demonstrate ability and a preparedness to provide a state-wide service.
In particular, it is our view that a prospective CGB must: (e)
Support an inclusive quality education program for all children;
(f)
Develop and implement policies which are fair for parents, children and employees;
(g)
Allow Kindergarten committees discretion as to how the Kindergarten is managed;
(h)
Not unreasonably discriminate against or between Kindergartens which may wish to use its services;
(i)
Be subject to monitoring by the Government;
(j)
Be subject to a dispute settling procedure , overseen by the Government, to resolve disputes between a Kindergarten and a CGB; and
(k)
Be able to be removed from its role if it is shown to have acted in a manner which is manifestly unreasonable or fraudulent.
The IEUA QNT will keep members informed regarding the development of criteria or operating guidelines by Government. Member input invited Members are invited to use the attached ‘Feed Back’ form to provide comment on the above submission, or to provide suggestions for additional criteria. Kind regards
John Spriggs Senior Industrial Officer
EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION FEED BACK BRISBANE 346 TURBOT ST SPRING HILL QLD 4000 PO BOX 418 FORTITUDE VALLEY
Name:
Phone: 07 3839 7020 Fax: 07 3839 7021 Freecall: 1800 177937 Email: enquiries@qieu.asn.au Internet: www.qieu.asn.au ABN: 45 620 218 712
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Kindergarten: …………………………………………………………………………………
My response to the IEUA submission identified in this Briefing: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ Please provide any other comments which may be relevant: ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________
PLEASE FAX BACK TO JOHN SPRIGGS AT IEUA/QIEU BY NO LATER THAN Wednesday, 18 August 2010 Fax: 07 3839 7021, or email to: enquiries@qieu.asn.au, or Post to QIEU, Freepost 418, Fortitude Valley 4006