Residents and parents have ridiculed a Melbourne council’s decision to ban gifts to kindergarten teachers, claiming it is stealing Christmas.
The move is a part of a blanket policy to prevent bribing of Yarra City Council officials from town planners to kindergarten teachers.
The decision has been met with criticism from councillor Stephen Jolly.
“I don’t know how you can corrupt a childcare worker, by the way,” Jolly said.
“Whether they give your kid a bit of extra Lego or an extra meat pie at lunch… I don’t know.”
Parent Olivia Zynevych brought mugs with tea bags and chocolates to staff at Gold Street Child Care but on council orders they will be donated to charity.
“They’re taking the spirit away from Christmas,” she said.
“It’s a box of chocolates, it’s not a bribe, it’s just to say thank you.”
The City of Yarra said …