We, the undersigned members of the Carrum and broader Kingston community, strongly oppose the decision to close the sessional kindergarten program at Carrum Family and Children's Centre from 2026.

This change, announced without warning just days before online enrolments open, has come as a shock to families who had been planning on sending their children to sessional kinder. There was no prior consultation, no community survey, and no indication that the closure was being considered. The lack of transparency and abrupt timing has left parents feeling blindsided and deeply disappointed.

Sessional kindergarten plays a vital role in our community. It offers structured, high-quality early education in a shorter, more affordable format that suits many families.

The Carrum Family and Children’s Centre currently provides the only sessional kinder program in Carrum. Its closure would leave families with no local sessional option, forcing them to travel further afield or reconsider kindergarten altogether—placing strain on nearby services and limiting access to early education.

While the proposed extended day kindergarten model may benefit some, it is not a substitute for sessional kinder. Longer hours and higher daily fees do not meet the needs of all families and remove the flexibility that many rely on.

We call on Kingston City Council and Family, Youth and Children’s Services to:

1. Halt the planned closure of the sessional kindergarten program at Carrum Family and Children’s Centre.
2. Engage in meaningful consultation with current and prospective families to assess demand.
3. Provide a transparent report on how the decision was made and what alternatives were considered.
4. Commit to preserving diverse early learning education options, including sessional kindergarten, within the Carrum community.

This is not just a program—it's a lifeline for many local families. Please help us protect our right to choose a kinder model that fits our lives and supports our children’s development.