A new regulatory change from the Berejiklian Government's Department of Education has ruled that after-school care minibus drivers cannot be included in the staff to student ratio.
Under the ruling, a second staff member will be needed on every trip between schools and before and after care which could leave parents or operators out of pocket.
The ratio of 1 staff member for every 15 students is industry standard, however, the government failed to mention the driver could no longer be counted.
Today, Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education Kate Washington and Member for Charlestown Jodie Harrison met with Hunter based operators to voice their concerns.
Ms Washington says the regulation is unfair, "it makes no sense that a school bus driver can look after 70+ kids, with no seatbelts, while a before and after school care staff member isn't trusted with 15 kids, with seatbelts, in a minibus."
"As we head into the new school term we will see service providers having to make a decision as to whether they continue to assist families by transporting children and fall afoul of the regulations, or if they just stop providing the service, which will see children stranded at school."
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| Kate Washington, Jodie Harrison and Before and After school care operators. |
