Urgent Concern – Kingston Council to Continue the After-Hours School Program at Southmoor Primary School
Comments
#5
I need after school care for my sons this year. What are the other options?Anita Stevens (Clarinda, 2025-02-12)
#9
We use and love this service!Clare Chisholm (Cheltenham, 2025-02-13)
#11
My children attendAdam Fox (2025-02-13)
#12
The childcare after school program should be considered as an important public service for the community wellbeing, not just a business model..Giuseppe Greek (2025-02-13)
#20
This impacts my child. Council has an obligation to look after its local constituentsCezanne Nataly (Dingley Village, 2025-02-13)
#34
I’m signing because my daughter attends the aftercare program while my husband and I work full time jobs. Without the necessity work would be impossible. She also enjoys the extra time with her friendsRebecca Williams (2025-02-15)
#37
I'm a parent of 1 child at Southmoor Primary (with a second due to start in 2027) we use these services & my child absolutely loves the staff & the activities they offer.Aimee Hunter (2025-02-15)
#39
I’ve had experience with one of the for-profit after care providers and it was AWFUL. High staff turnover, very poor quality care (read: no explanation for bruises on my son’s face and often not knowing where he was outside when I arrived for pick up). This is an atrocious sequence of events by Kingston Council to even be in this position, and they are responsible for finding a solution that keeps these EXCELLENT care providers and children together. This is your problem, not ours. FIX IT.Sarah Hinch (2025-02-15)
#42
I’m signing because Council need to understand the social and community benefit of such services over profit.Fiona Feeney (2025-02-15)
#43
I don’t agree for the Kingston council to discontinue the after care for our kids @ Southmoor.Really disappointing. The staff there are regulars, know the kids well and they are really caring.
What can we do as parents ? We pay taxes , crazy levies , and what we get from that ?
Carolina Diaz (Mentone, 2025-02-15)
#48
I'm signing because the quality of care and concern the staff have shown my children and others has been outstanding. We have gone to private providers for care and it is rare to find that level of passion for the children.Halah ISSA (2025-02-15)
#56
I find child care an essential part of my children’s education, especially for parents tooTheodore Paterakis (Balaclava, 2025-02-15)
#59
This is a great service and so many families rely on it. The staff are fantastic and the continuity for the students is so important.Zehra Erczmann (2025-02-15)
#61
Kingston Council has done a fabulous job at Southmoor Primary. All the staff are wonderful and it would be a terrible loss to the students and school community to lose the council as an afterschool caring provider. I hope they reconsider and understand how vital this is to everyone involved.Jason Setchell (2025-02-15)
#63
Because it's the constitution, it's the vibe and too many of these services are being stripped for the wrong reasons. Decision making should be taken as to whether its providing a community service not whether its profitablePeter Veljkovic (Bentleigh East, 2025-02-15)
#65
I believe this the best aftercare service. I trust the staff with my 2 kids.Gagan Khaira (Moorabbin, 2025-02-15)
#67
Our kid has had a wonderful time there with after school & school holiday programs. The staff actually care, respectful, understand the children & are very good at engaging with all of them. The activities have been great in helping the kids grow & enjoy school. A crucial service for the children at Southmoor Primary. Please stay.Ana Nazimuddin (2025-02-15)
#70
My faith in council is constantly challenged by decisions made without the basic needs of its most vulnerable residents considered. Please reconsider this proposal.Dana Thompson (Elsternwick, 2025-02-15)
#71
I am a parent of a child attending the Kingston OHSP and wish this program to continue for the reasons stated in the letter.Nikola Balvin (Cheltenham, 2025-02-16)
#73
The staff are beyond wonderful with my son and the program is so good he begs to go to afterschool care. Please keep them.Laura Knight (Bentleigh East, 2025-02-16)
#75
As a single mum I need after school care so I can go to work and provide for my childrenAdi Itzhack (ORMOND, 2025-02-16)
#81
My son has been in the before and after care program at Southmoor for four years now and has absolutely thrived under the care of the incredible staff there. It is a vital service for many of the school families with working parents. The experienced and consistent team of staff are not “just” carers but enthusiastic educators who are genuinely invested in the wellbeing of our kids. Where the classroom teachers change each year the before and after care staff are a consistent presence in our kids’ lives and nurture them to grow and develop over the entirety of their school journey. I urge council to take all steps to continue to run this vital program with the irreplaceable team they are lucky to have.Alessandra Briglia (Moorabbin, 2025-02-16)
#86
Our kids love the program.It's also essential to ensure we as parents can continue we to work while our kids learn
Matthew Qui (Moorabbin, 2025-02-16)
#87
I don’t want the service to changeDayeni Delgado Nunez (Kingston, 2025-02-16)
#90
I’m signing this petition because both my daughters that attend before school program absolutely love the educators, program, education & support it provides. I have dealt with day care educators, kindergarten educators & now before school care & I can confidently say they are some of the best from Kingston Council. Please reconsider & keep Southmoor on your books.Rebecca McPhee (Cheltenham, 2025-02-16)
#91
i prefer City of Kingston to continue after school programmSumit khaira (moorabbin, 2025-02-16)
#94
My son goes to the after school program as a necessity and the teachers/helpers there are so nice!Feilian Wang (Moorabbin, 2025-02-16)
#96
I work full time. I tiny have family who live close by to help.Smith Lorena (Highett, 2025-02-16)
#102
We need this program, it’s essential for parents and children. Kids need to know they are in a safe place with people who they feel safe with as well as parents who need to know that while they are working to keep a roof over their heads their babies are being cared for by people they trust and can rely on. Keep the before and after school care program please!Michelle Borazio (2025-02-17)
#105
I have kids in Southmoore and need access to after hours care programsPrashant Shah (Moorabbi, 2025-02-18)
#106
Council run and operated Kinder and OSCH are always run at a high standard with great programs and teaching staff. Our children have always had a positive experience and thrived in such environments.One of the reasons we chose to send our child to Southmoor was because Kingston council provided the OSCH service at the school rather than a private company. It's very disappointing to learn that less than 3 weeks into my child starting Foundation, the council is looking to terminate this program.
If its a matter of cost, I would encourage the council to consult the parents and have a discussion on possible strategies to over come, including and not limited to, increasing fees, changing of hours/days, or using the school to raise funds for the service or other council activities to help offset the costs, etc.
Milo Jovanovic (Bentleigh East, 2025-02-18)
#107
We are a working family that relies on the after school care program.Melissa Loucas (Kingston, 2025-02-19)
#108
I am extremely concerned to be told that City of Kingston is reviewing its profitability in regards to BSCASC & holiday program at Southmoor PS.We are into into our second year at Southmoor and the BSCASC & holiday program is vital for our family. We utilise the service Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays and three to four days over the holiday period.
When selecting ps for my children, Southmoor was by far the best fit for us and part of that was because a bscasc and holiday program were offered on site and by our local council (we are rate paying residents of kingston).
The staff during this time have been consistent (no high turn over) and know my children by name and in most cases who their school teachers are.
Ceasing this service through kingston would mean the school would need to outsource this to a private company where I feel the continunity of care would not be at the current level we receive.
It is disappointing that Kingston are even considering putting profits ahead of children’s wellbeing and that of its employee security.
Lauren Heywood (2025-02-19)
#110
I have used before and after school care service and the educators there are amazing and whole heartedly love their role and children! Other places have been below average!Teng Yong (2025-02-21)
#115
My children attend Southmoor Primary School and the before and after care service is an integral program for families that attend the school.Elizabeth Warnes (Moorabbin, 2025-03-03)