1990's

1990

No new preschools open in this year!


The Task force recommends the trial of three different preschool models:

  • 2 preschools were clustered;
  • 6 were to be co-located into the nearest primary school; and
  • 6 were to be administratively/professionally linked.


1991

The following preschools open:

  • Theodore Preschool


 A review of the preschool model trial proves clearly that the community wished to retain the neighbourhood preschool system.  The cluster model was particularly unpopular, two preschools (Fisher and Holder) were suspended as a part of the cluster trial and they never re-opened,  The Parent Associations wound up their affairs after four years of waiting on the ACT Government to re-open their Preschools


1992

The following preschools open:

  • Bonython Preschool


There were 4,867 children enrolled in ACT preschools


1993

No preschools open in this year!

1994

The following preschool opens:

  • Palmerston District Preschool


1995

The following preschools open:

  • Charles Conder Preschool
  • Gordon Preschool


1996
The following preschools open

  • [Neville] Bonner Preschool
  • Nicholls Preschool


1997
The following preschools open:

  • Ngunnawal Preschool


The Management of Preschool education in the ACT was audited.


1998

No preschools were opened.


The Auditor General's report was released in 1998.

The ACT Government organise a Standing Committee on Education to investigate the findings of the Auditor General


These two groups have quite different findings on the nature of parent contributions into the Canberra Preschool Program.

The Auditor General's report accurately presented the true cost of the provision of the Canberra Preschool Program. 

Whereas, the ACT Government's Standing Committee's findings did not accurately present the nature of the Preschool Parent Association, without whom the extensive expansion and maintenance of the Canberra preschool program in the previous 50 years would not have been possible!


The Auditor GeneralThe Standing Committee on Education
Clearly identified that there was a joint financial arrangement between each individual preschool parent association and the Government provider of the buildings and staff.

Government expenditure is used to pay the employee costs of preschool teachers and assistants, for repairs and maintenance of building and grounds, utilities and services, and the supply of fixed equipment. Parents meet the cost of cleaning, consumables, educational equipment, excursions, and insurance.

The Standing Committee, did not clearly identify any formal financial arrangement.

The Standing Committee outlined that the parent contributions toward the [then] current provision of preschool education as "remains voluntary, unlike most other States including NSW where there are compulsory fees for the majority of services." (page 5, Item 1.22)

Parent ContributionsParent Contributions
  • ACT parent voluntary contributions and community fundraisings, provide the equivalent of around an extra 11% annually for preschools expenditure
    • Stating that, during the 1996 calendar year, parents and the community [through the Preschool Parent Associations] provided a total of $921,000 to ACT Government preschools. This is equivalent to 10.8% of budgeted Government expenditure on preschools for 1995-96;
  • ACT parent voluntary contributions and community fundraisings, provide the equivalent of around an extra 1% annually for preschools’ expenditure.

  • ACT weekly parental contributions are similar to contributions in other Australian jurisdictions where preschools are predominantly government funded.

  • ACT weekly parental contributions are similar to contributions in other Australian jurisdictions where preschools are predominantly government-funded. 


1999




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