Speaking in parliament on a bill relating to the Victorian Government’s rollout of new childcare centres, Ms Cleeland said communities across regional Victoria were suffering.
“As things currently stand, regional Victoria is in dire need of more childcare,” she said.
“Sadly, so many communities across our state, including many in my electorate of Euroa, are set to remain without childcare despite desperately needing them.
“Towns like Avenel and Nagambie are struggling with outrageous waitlists caused by a lack of childcare and early learning facilities.
“Not having facilities will have a massive impact on the town’s future — with families choosing to relocate most of their lives to bigger centres like Shepparton.”
The Seymour region, Benalla, Kilmore and Broadford were other areas pinpointed as struggling the most, while smaller towns such as Murchison, Rushworth, Tooborac and Redesdale had no childcare.
Seymour has only one long-standing childcare facility, with another opening in the next few years.
A Victorian Government representative said while childcare is a Commonwealth responsibility, they know that many families can find it hard to find an affordable option for their children – that’s why the State Government is stepping in to create 50 affordable government-owned early learning centres in areas that need it most.
"We’ve delivered an unprecedented investment in kindergarten to roll out our nation-leading $14 billion Best Start, Best Life reforms - with two years of free kinder backing our kids to thrive, saving families time and money and encouraging mums and dads to return to work or study sooner if they want to," they said.
Ms Cleeland said this lack of childcare perpetuated generational disadvantage, disproportionately impacting regional towns.
“The Allan Labor Government’s inability to manage money or manage a project is now impacting the education opportunities of our children,” Ms Cleeland said.
“We already have extreme cost-of-living pressures, as well as a labour crisis — making more accessible childcare so important to ensure parents can return to work and alleviate these issues.”
Ms Cleeland said the Victorian Government failed to demonstrate how it would address staffing challenges in its plan to build early learning centres across the state.
“So far, there are very few details or a clear plan to overcome the very probable staffing challenges that will arise in the new locations,” the Nationals MP said.
“We know that additional resources will be required at these centres.
“We can learn from the experience of trying to attract teachers to primary and secondary schools in regional communities.
“For the few childcare facilities that my region has, staffing is already a key issue despite them operating for years.”
