An Australian childcare center in Queensland drew criticism after it asked parents to pay up to $2,200 for their children's artwork following funding cuts.
The kindergarten offered curated portfolios of children's artwork that include many random blobs and smudges. The sale of the artworks, billed as a fundraiser, works to help the debt-ridden center pay off a long list of overdue bills, including unpaid salaries of educators.
Childcare Center Auctions Children's Artwork
Last month, Craigslea Community Kindergarten and Preschool in Brisbane closed after officials stopped funding amid an investigation into claims regarding the center's governance. Now, the sudden request sparked widespread concern among families in Queensland.
Even the state leader called the supposed fundraiser "emotional blackmail," forcing regulators to stage an intervention. One parent is also going to extreme lengths in trying to steal back their child's art collection in the middle of the night because they don't want to pay an absurd amount, according to BBC.
The issue with the center has been going on for several months now, as tensions between management and parents continued to brew this year. It is affiliated with one of the state's largest childcare providers, the Creche and Kindergarten Association (C&K).
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While the latter provides some assistance in distributing government funding, the center's day-to-day operations are managed by a volunteer committee, which is made up of parents and community members.
Australian Charities and Not for Profit Commission records also revealed that the center was more than $46,000 in the red last financial year. However, the latest request resulted in one mother being reported to police for allegedly stealing her child's artwork without paying, News.com.au reported.
Criticism From Parents
Another parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said that they were surprised when they received the email from the center on Sunday, saying that it was insolvent. The mother noted that the message told parents their children's artworks were going to be auctioned off for $2,2000 to make up for an apparent deficit.
She said that some parents were allowed inside, with one taking her kid's portfolio before being reported for breaking and entering. The parent noted that all of the locks to the center were changed, and no one was allowed inside anymore.
While parents were expectedly upset about the development, they are still hopeful that the Department of Education will intervene to address the issue. Queensland Premier David Crisafulli also commented on the matter, saying that the school's decision was "un-Australian," as per JacarandaFM.
