We, the undersigned members of the Bayside community, respectfully petition Bayside City Council to take immediate and meaningful action to address the growing crisis in kindergarten infrastructure and access across our municipality.

Bayside is home to a rapidly growing population of young families, yet access to quality early education has not kept pace. Community kindergartens, many of which are rich in Bayside’s history and have served generations of local families, are now at capacity. Many are in urgent need of upgrades, additional rooms, and maintenance to meet rising demand and prepare for the upcoming pre-prep reforms.

The crisis is already evident:

In 2024, many families across Bayside missed out on community kindergarten places.
Infrastructure is aging and inadequate for current and future needs.
A new social housing development planned for 2026 will bring increased demand, particularly for vulnerable children, placing further pressure on an already overstretched system.
There is also a clear community preference for the Community Kindergarten model over long day care, a trend further reinforced by the Victorian Government’s ‘Free Kinder’ initiative. Families are actively choosing this model for its quality, meaningful relationships, and educational outcomes, yet access continues to be restricted by a lack of forward investment.

We call on Bayside City Council to:

Prioritise immediate infrastructure upgrades and maintenance.
Allocate funding in the current budget to kindergartens requiring a second room or expansion.
Develop a long-term strategy to ensure all Bayside children have fair access to high-quality, community-based early education.
Every child deserves a strong start. Every family deserves access to a local kindergarten. It’s time to act.