The Cardinia Shire welcomes around six families a day and 28 newborns each week.
The delivery of kindergarten and maternal and child health services is important. That’s why council is seeking community feedback as it plans the needs of families who will use these services.
Parents and carers with young children are being asked to complete a survey so council can develop a clear understanding of current and perceived future needs of families who will use kindergarten and maternal and child health services.
“The results from this survey will help us to plan for the provision of facilities to service and support the changing community, beyond the needs of those currently using the services,” council’s Community and Family Services manager Pam Martin said.
Cardinia Shire is among the fastest growing local government areas in Australia, so the survey also seeks feedback from people who may be planning to have kids in the future and those who may not live in the shire but who use local childcare services.
Council currently provides the facilities from which 24 community kindergartens operate and has been meeting demand to place every child in a kindergarten program.
With the largest population growth in the 0-4 age group, an increasing demand for places in pre-kindergarten and kindergarten programs will be consistent over the next decade.
Council also offers maternal and child health consultation services across 16 facilities, with about 16,500 consultations taking place each year.
Council will use the Child and Family Services Community Consultation Survey results to plan for the provision of health care and early education and development services for young children in the shire over the coming decade and beyond.
To have your say, you must complete the survey before 5pm, Friday 17 August 2018.
You can complete the survey at council’s website
