DEPUTY Mayor Amanda Stapledon will call on Casey Council to look into a way in which parents of twins can be afforded the same financial concessions for kindergarten costs as are currently given to families of triplets and quadruplets.
It is understood the City of Casey currently provides parents of twins with a 30 per cent concession for kindergarten costs for the second twin.
Parents of triplets and quadruplets receive a State Government fee subsidy that fully covers the cost of a kindergarten program.
Cr Stapledon plans to put forward her motion in the coming weeks.
“What’s been raised with me from parents is that if they have twins, they don’t get the same concessions that families with triplets and quadruplets do,” Cr Stapledon said.
“When you have twins you have to get it all then and there, double the high chairs, double the car seats and double the amount of nappies.
“Parents feel isolated and put under pressure. So how do we as a council look at challenging and improving the system.”
Cathy Smith, a mother of 12-year-old twins Tara and Zoe, said she remembered all too well the financial pressures her family was hit with when they were made aware she was having twins.
“I didn’t find out until I was 20 weeks pregnant and the mind boggles – I had to buy another car because I didn’t have enough room for two more car seats,” Cathy, from Narre Warren North, said.
“I certainly think it’s just logical and fair that we get concessions – it’s the extra cot, the extra car seat, and the fact you can’t hand down clothes because you have to get two sets.
“Anything that’ll make it easier on the parents is worth it.”
