‘Disgusting’: Parents ‘blindsided’ as Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations scrapped at Melbourne preschool

A Melbourne preschool has made the controversial decision to ditch Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations next year.

A Melbourne preschool will ditch Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations next year in a controversial move which has blindsided parents on the final day of school.

Early Child Management Services (ECMS), which manages over 60 kindergarten and childcare centres in Melbourne, announced St Helena Preschool in Eltham North will scrap the traditional celebrations and replace them with “Family Day” celebrations in a bid to be more inclusive.

Parents at the preschool were informed of the change in an email sent by ECMS three hours after the end of term on Thursday.

“Next year we’ll be holding Family Day to honour all caregivers or significant figures in your children’s lives. Children will be encouraged to express gratitude and recognise those who play a supportive role in their lives,” the email read.

“We won’t be holding titled celebrations like Mother’s Day or Father’s Day but we will have a fabulous Family Day celebration.”

Parents told 7News they were blindsided by the change, with some taking to social media to express their disapporval.

“Shame on you removing Mothers and Fathers Day. Disgusting,” one person wrote on the preschool's Facebook page.

The preschool will ditch Mother’s and Father’s Day celebrations in favour of Family Day celebrations. Picture: iStock

ECMS said the decision was made after consultation took place “within the service throughout the year”, noting many of its centres has already moved to inclusive celebrations.

“In our ECMS commitment to equity and diversity, we strive to ensure that all children and families feel represented and valued. ECMS puts the best outcomes for children at the centre of everything we do, and this includes planning celebrations to be held within the program,” ECMS CEO Kieren Kearney said in a statement provided to news.com.au.

“We recognise that family mean different things to different people in different

communities, and this decision is about trying to create the best and most inclusive

learning environment for children. This is one of many things we do as part of our

practice that we believe is incredibly important for our future generations.”

ECMS CEO Kieran Kearney said the move was important for future generations. Picture: 7News

Speaking to 7News, Mr Kearney acknowledged some may not easily accept the change.

“This is recognising that family means different things to different people in different communities,” he said.

“Change is hard for everyone and we find change hard too, so it can be difficult for some people to accept that change.”

It comes after growing number of childcare centres and preschools have chosen to forgo Mother’s Day events in favour of “Parent’s” or “Family Day” celebrations in recent years.

Earlier this year, Hunter Valley Grammar School in Maitland, New South Wales, sparked outrage after renaming its Mother’s Day stall to a ‘Family Gift stall’.

“Students have the special job of choosing a gift with their loves one in mind,” an email sent to parents in May read.

A growing number of childcare centres and preschools have chosen to forgo Mother’s Day events in favour of “Parent’s” or “Family Day” celebrations in recent years. Picture: iStock

The move was quickly met with backlash, with some arguing Mother’s Day was the “one day a year where mums are celebrated and recognised”.

“Please don’t take this away from us,” one mother told The Daily Telegraph.

“By changing the name it feels like you are sending the message to students that Mums are no more important than anyone else in their lives they think are special.

Early childhood advocacy group Early Childhood Australia has issued educators with a guide on including “diverse” families on Mother’s and Father’s Day.

“We know Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are important days to celebrate, but they can be tricky for children from diverse families,” the guide reads.

“Mother’s Day and Father’s Day present some challenges for families that don’t have a mum and dad.”

The resource suggests educators should give children the option to make a gift for a “special adult” – not necessarily their mum or dad – to “avoid gender stereotypes in children’s crafts”.