First time in Australia: Canterbury Bankstown pioneers free child care for asylum seekers
For the first time in Australia, asylum seekers can access council child care centres free of charge, with Canterbury Bankstown leading the way. The 12-month pilot project has already attracted nine children.
In what is an Australian first, asylum seekers in Canterbury Bankstown can use access council child care centres free of charge, opening up educational paths previously not available to them.
The 12-month pilot project has already attracted nine children with the Canterbury Bankstown Council working closely with Asylum Seekers Centre, Sydney Alliance, and Uniting Church through its integral Links to Early Learning program.
Canterbury Bankstown, which hosts 78 asylum seeking families, announced the pioneering step last October, having been the first council to officially sign the Refugee Council of Australia’s Refugee Charter.
In NSW, the highest number of asylum seekers live in Lakemba, the council said.
The gesture does not mean that local families will be locked out of the childcare centres, because none of the centres are at capacity.
Arshad, the son of Myanmar refugee, Aziza, is one of the first to use the free services at Lakemba Children’s Centre with his mum saying she is glad to take up this offer.
“After I dropped him off, I was happy but I was also worried that he might cry,” Ms Aziza said.
“I feel really happy because I have been given this opportunity to put my son in this place. “We feel very fortunate, being in a difficult position financially.
“It is a good thing for Arshad because he will learn English and make some friends.
“Later when he goes to school, it will be easier for him and he will not face as many difficulties.
“I also have a younger child Romaisah and would would love for her to attend when she is older.
“I will look for and get a job when my children are grown up.
”I will do some classes to learn more English.
“I want to do more study or get a job but I still have one younger child so this makes it difficult.”
According to Mayor Khal Asfour, asylum seeker families have no access to mainstream Government services including access to the Child Care Subsidy.
He said this child care initiative was one of his proudest achievements as mayor to date and wished it would become a permanent initiative.
“As a parent myself, I know how hard you can be on yourself to want to provide the very best for your child – including a good education,” Cr Asfour said.
“By investing in these children, we help set them up for a better future and provide them with the opportunity to learn and grow in the same way Australian-born children can.”
Uniting’s Director of Mission, Communities and Social Impact, Doug Taylor, said the program was an important first step in helping these people rebuild their lives.
“We underestimate the challenges people seeking asylum face living and participating in the community,” he said.
“We hope we can support other councils and child care providers following Canterbury-Bankstown’s lead.”
The pilot program offers these vulnerable children one place per day at the Lakemba Children’s Centre, Punchbowl Children’s Centre and Carrington Occasional Care.
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