PARENTS and teachers have made an impassioned plea for preschools to be recognised as a vital first step in their children’s education.

Kindergartens around Cardinia Shire are joining a statewide lobby effort calling on the State Government for further changes to the preschool system.

Teachers and parents say recent reforms have helped but remain concerned the problems are only being plastered over with ‘bandaid’ solutions.

They say responsibility for preschools should be moved out of the Department of Human Services and into the Department of Education.

A public forum is being organised in Pakenham to discuss kindergarten issues around the region.

Organising the forum is lobby group Parents for Preschool Education.

PFPE spokeswoman Cherylle Hampton of Upper Beaconsfield said the group wanted an affordable, accessible, quality system that was available to all children.

“We want this government to recognise preschool as the first step in education and move preschools to the Department of Education, where education is core business.

“We want better recognition of the wonderful teachers working in this profession, better professional support and a best practice system with conditions that attract many more teachers to these roles in the future,” Mrs Hampton said.

“Ultimately we want the best outcomes for our children’s education and their future.”

The State Government last year announced a $26 million funding boost with pay rises and better working conditions.

The new agreement with the Australian Education Union and Kindergarten Parents Victoria was said to ensure a high standard of services into the future.

As well as pay rises of 3% each year for three years, the package delivered a new career classification structure and improved maternity leave conditions.

AEU spokeswoman Rosalie Kinson said the package — announced locally by Gembrook MP Tammy Lobato — was a major step in the right direction and would help raise the status of teachers, improving their pay and professional satisfaction.

Ann Wynne at Pakenham’s Andrews Community Kindergarten said the improvements were most welcome but warned more needed to be done in terms of recognising preschool teachers as education providers.

Kinder teachers were still paid less than their primary counterparts even though they had similar qualifications, she said.

“We are at the coalface, we have contact with the parents and kids at a much more grassroots level even than primary or secondary teachers,” she said.

“Kindergarten teachers are educators not child minders.

“We are in a position of influence on the paths a child might take in life. We work with the children and their families at a crucial stage in a young person’s development.”

Jeanette Bartlett from Beaconsfield Kindergarten said preschool teachers needed to be jacks of all trades.

“You not only need eyes in the back of your head, you have to be a diplomat, have to organise a tradesperson if something needs to be fixed as well as handle parent issues.”

The forum at Pakenham hall will be held on Thursday, 18 May, starting at 7.30 pm. Guest speakers will include teachers, parents and representatives of the Australian Education Union. Local MPs will also be invited.