Qld eKindy pods saved by Grace Grace intervention

After angry parents raised the alarm a remote kindergarten program would be shut down, the education minister has stepped in.

Queensland Minister for education Grace Grace has stepped in to prevent 11 eKindy pods from closing. Picture: Liam Kidston

After angry parents raised the alarm the Queensland government was canning its remote kindergarten program by the year’s end, the education minister has intervened to keep them open.

A Seaforth mum, who wished to remain anonymous, contacted this publication to share correspondence from the Department of Education that revealed the government would “cease funding” for its eKindy pod program at the end of 2023.

Seaforth is a coastal town about 40 minutes’ drive northeast of Mackay, with its eKindy pod attached to the primary school.

There are currently 11 eKindy pods in operation across Queensland state schools including at Seaforth, Bloomsbury – also in the Mackay region, Rollingstone north of Townsville, Forrest Beach south of Ingham, Bauple between Maryborough and Gympie, Kenilworth west of the Sunshine Coast, and Condamine in the Western Downs.

Seaforth State School is a small regional school about 40 minutes' drive northeast of Mackay. Picture: Google Maps

Seaforth parents said they relied on the eKindy program to give their children access to a kindergarten program a couple of days a week, particularly as centres in Mackay were are at capacity.

Seaforth State School principal Troy Mutton said it was “with sadness” to inform the community that the “pod days” were coming to an end.

“Although our school currently hosts the (pods) each Tuesday and Wednesday, we are not responsible for them and have no control over the decision making in respect to them,” Mr Mutton said.

“They are funded centrally and organised through a different organisation, BUSHkids.”

Seaforth State School principal Troy Mutton says he was sad to inform parents their eKindy pod would close. Picture: Facebook

Mr Mutton shared correspondence with parents which stated the Early Childhood Deputy Director General had decided to cease funding to BUSHkids, which has run the pods since 2013, on July 20.

The rationale stated the funding model did not provide the “most effective or sustainable approach to supporting all children living in rural, isolated and/or disadvantaged areas”.

It added the government had consulted with the Isolated Children and Parent’s Association before making its decision.

But the Seaforth parents said the government did not once contact them for their thoughts or opinions.

At present, there is an average of five kids attending each of the eKindy pods, a decline on original enrolment numbers.

Queensland Minister for education Grace Grace has stepped in to prevent 11 eKindy pods from closing Picture: NCA NewsWire/Tertius Pickard

After this publication asked for comment from the DOE, a spokesman advised that Education Minister Grace Grace had directed the department to “ensure no eKindy pods close until there is a suitable alternative in place”.

The spokesman said the department was exploring alternatives to the pods ahead of the government’s free kindergarten initiative which kicks off in 2024.

The eKindy pods were intended to provide socialisation opportunities for children in extremely rural and remote areas.

It is understood the programs run via the eKindy pods are not officially kindergarten and are not run by qualified teachers.

The official state-run kindergarten program is delivered part-time by qualified Early Childhood teachers for 15 hours a week, 40 weeks a year.

Originally published as Qld eKindy pods saved by Grace Grace intervention