A Centre Ahead Of The Times
The Age
Friday April 18, 2008
KEVIN Rudd's plan for a one-stop child-care shop may sound like a new idea, but in Laverton they say it's old news.
The Laverton Community Children's Centre has been running a child-care hub - more of a hub-bub from the sound in the playground - since 2000.The centre's chief operating officer, Michael Pernar, said the idea for the child-care hub came from a need in the community. "It's Laverton," he says. "It's low-income and single parents but this place has blossomed. They come in through the child-care centre and they're introduced to counselling and family services."Mr Pernar says the selection of welfare services under one roof means he can be sure a parent has attended any service they may have been referred to.He applauds the Prime Minister's plan in theory but has concerns over pay costings and the administrative process.Board chairman Peter Undy says federal, state and local councils will have to work together. "It's a hugely regulated industry but there is no standard between the three - there's been a lot of passing the buck."Mother-of-two Liz Hanson said: "It's great from all perspectives."
© 2008 The Age