An Australian kindergarten has ignited a firestorm by asking parents to pay a hefty A$2,200 (£1,000; $1,400) for a collection of their children’s artwork. This controversial move, intended as a fundraiser for the debt-ridden centre, has been met with widespread criticism, accusations of emotional blackmail, and even reports of parents resorting to desperate measures to reclaim their children’s creations.
Craigslea Community Kindergarten and Preschool in Brisbane recently closed its doors after funding was suspended amidst an investigation into its governance. The centre’s management, facing a mountain of overdue bills, including unpaid staff wages, devised the unusual scheme to charge families thousands for portfolios containing a mix of artistic scribbles and candid photos of the young artists at work.
The situation escalated rapidly, with parents expressing shock and anger. One parent, Brooke, described the request as “ridiculous” and admitted to taking her child’s artwork without paying, which led to the centre reporting her to the police. While details are scarce, Queensland Police have confirmed they are investigating a reported midnight break-in at the kindergarten.
The controversy has drawn strong reactions from public figures, with Queensland’s premier condemning the practice as “un-Australian” and urging the kindergarten to return the artwork without charge. The Department of Education has also reminded parents of their right to access their children’s documentation. Following intervention from the Department of Education and C&K (Creche and Kindergarten Association), the children’s artwork has been successfully recovered and is now available for families to collect, free of charge.