Managers Report
Gubi Gabun Children’s Mobile Service is a play session mobile that works with birth-school age children and their families in the Armidale district, with four qualified Early Childhood Educators travelling in two VW vans to conduct the playgroups. The playgroups are a welcome socialising opportunity for parents as well as children. Gubi Gabun is not licensed for childcare: the parents/carers have the care of and responsibility for their children.
Funding
The Commonwealth Department of Education & Training (DET) and the NSW Dept of Education and Communities (DEC) continued to fund Gubi Gabun for the 2016/17 period. Funding has remained at the same rate as previous years with the exception of slight variations i.e. CPI increase to state funding and also to cover extra costs to do with transition to the new Jobs For Families Package looking to be introduced in July 2018 (see below). Increases in wages, fuel, utilities and other general operational costs continue to rise. The departments are not matching these increases leaving Gubi Gabun in a precarious position of viability. With the introduction of the Jobs for Families policy mid 2018, the Budget Based Funding Program ceases to exist. Gubi Gabun CMS will not be transitioning to long day care and have had written guarantee that they will retain their current funding via a different department. The likelihood that Gubi will be placed outside the Department of Education is upsetting to all staff, yet we are determined to uphold the quality of our current sessions – keeping them early childhood educationally based.
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Family Contributions and Fundraising
Gubi Gabuns service is provided at very little cost to the families. A contribution of $15 per term or $60 per annum is requested which includes the fundraising component. Family Day Carers contribute $20 per term or $80 per annum. Toy borrowing continues to be offered as an optional extra of $10 per term. This year Gubi reintroduced a Parent resource/book borrowing service which is also covered by the $10 per term.
From the beginning of 2015 a fundraising levy was implemented. Instead of families organising and raising funds through multiple fundraising events per year. Up to four fundraising events can be organised by the Gubi team, such as the Picture Plates & Christmas Toy fundraiser running this calendar year. Any groups that do wish to organise and fundraise for GGCMS are still supported where possible.
All funds raised contributes to purchasing craft supplies and maintaining the children’s equipment and we are very appreciative for the assistance.
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Programs
Playgroups
Sixteen playgroups per fortnight operated in the twelve months. The playgroups are always appreciated and well supported. Fluctuations (peaks and troughs) can occur with the number of enrolments in areas. However, families move to the area or births increase and then numbers pick up once more. While some groups have small numbers, the families attend consistently.
The Goorialla Aboriginal Family Playgroup, Guyra has had the continuing support from Nellie Blair. Nellie has coordinated transport and encouraged families to attend. Nellie has also helped the service to engage with the community and made us feel connected. Medicare Local New England ceased financial assistance for venue hire, morning tea and family contributions end of 2016. Gubi continues to service the playgroup and thank Nellie for her continuing support and we are very proud and grateful that we are in our 6th year of facilitating and supporting the Goorialla Aboriginal Family Playgroup.
GGCMS uses an emergent curriculum format as they programme experiences for children. At playgroup, the children (and the parents!) become involved in creative arts, dance, play (which develops both fine and gross motor skills), and storytelling sessions. The service also provides a toy borrowing service, and there is a regular newsletter and information imparted via social media, resources and referral available for the parents and the community.
Gubi connects and collaborates with many other community services and organisations. Interagency meetings are attended when possible with services at Guyra, Uralla and Walcha. Engaging with services helps keep GGCMS informed and connected with those communities. The meetings also provide the opportunity for Gubi to showcase our service and programs. Many of these organisations and agencies help with any referrals and information that GGCMS may require from time to time. More recently, I have been representing Gubi, liaising with contacts I have made at the University of New England –Early Childhood School and November last year was invited to sit on the course advisory board.
The service visited the following locations, with return travel distances shown:
Bald Blair (110km) Kentucky (90km)
Kingstown (130km) Ebor (160km)
Ben Lomond (145km) Guyra (85km)
Goorialla – Guyra (85km) Tingha (215km)
Bundarra (160km) Uralla (50km)
Chandler (85km) Walcha (130km)
Armidale Bendemeer (140km)
Black Mountain (65km) Yarrowitch (230km)
Wongwibinda (190km)
Supplemented Playgroups
This program empowers a community to operate its own playgroup. Gubi Gabun provides a written package and all materials and equipment to co-ordinate the program, with deliveries made once a term.
With three areas taking the opportunity to do the supplemented program over this financial year, this program remains a good option for those areas on the waiting list and is also viable for Gubi. The groups taking advantage of this service over the financial year, Yarrowitch, Hernani and Armajun Aboriginal Health Service Armidale, are held at the small schools and drop in centres and reports from the principals and families always indicate the satisfaction and benefits from the program.
This has not only elevated Gubi Gabun’s profile in our community, but strengthened our engagement and demonstrated our support of local community events and services. Motivated by our belief that supporting children involves connecting with families and communities as well, Gubi Gabun is maintaining positive relationships across the communities in which they work to the benefit of all involved.
Future
Demand for the service is evident. Many areas are currently on the waiting list for playgroup sessions. The team regularly think of new initiatives to meet needs they see in the communities we visit, and there are still small communities with no access to an early childhood service. To meet these needs we need to search for further funding. Areas that show interest/promise are:
Rocky River, Multi Cultural Group – “One of a Kind”, Niangala, Dundurrabin, Hernani, Tenterden, Aboriginal Families Group (Armidale), Woolbrook, Black Mountain, Glen Innes, Glencoe and so on.
Under investigation is the legality etc to have a roaming "Playgroup in the Park" session. This would ideally be set up in areas for transient and in need groups that may not access an Early Childhood program. Gubi would be a conduit to link families with other community organisations that can refer and support those families.
Future planning for GGCMS will be based around where we will be placed for funding once the Budget Based Funding Programme ceases in July 2018. We welcome the current Governments decision to continue with a replacement funding programme when Budget Based Funding ceases July 2018.
The Vans
The two VW Transporter Vans have performed well and have held up to some extreme road conditions. Both VW diesel vehicles have proven to be safe and economical for the team and the service.
Approximate kilometres travelled:
Van 1 (Gypsy)
July to Dec. 2016 – 8,167 km Jan to June 2017 – 7,578 km
Van 2 – (Gogo)
July to Dec. 2016 – 7,075 km Jan to June 2017 – 7,821 km
Total – 30641 km (previous year 31,865 km)
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Conclusion
For just over two years I have had the ‘best job in the world’. With a great team of staff and committee members to work alongside its been an complete pleasure to come to work everyday.
I’d like to thank my work colleagues Melissa, Melinda and Victoria who are a great support and bring such fun and laughs into the workplace. Their professionalism and care for early childhood education is evident by their interactions and relationships that they build so well with the families and so effortlessly with our Gubi kids.
I say goodbye to the outgoing committee and am so thankful for the support given and lessons learnt in the short time we have worked together. Also, I am grateful that we are retaining some members from this committee for our next management team and look forward to the exciting future we all have guiding Gubi along through the transition stage after the BBF Programme ceases.
Gubi has provided a vital program to many children and parents and carers in socially, rural and geographically isolated communities. The sessions continue to be embraced by families and children and the wider community – due largely by remaining flexible, responsive and innovative. The team and committee have worked extremely hard to manage the changes and projects that have been implemented during the year. From the positive feedback from our families and children, Gubi Gabun has helped assist to fill the gap caused by physical and social isolation and provided a quality early childhood learning opportunity. Promoting ‘wellness and wellbeing’, by providing our valuable and critical service, is something we hope that we will be able to continue for many years to come.
Whilst there may be changes ahead to our funding arrangement, the good news is that we still retain our funding – families can be assured that they will not be impacted by Gubis transition. We will still do what we do best – provide our own unique educational play sessions. What you all know and tell us you love about Gubi will not change. I very much look forward to working with the new management team, staff and families and children over this coming year.
Change is exciting.
Suzi
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