THE decision to put Baa, Baa, Black Sheep out to pasture at some kindergartens because of racial concerns has been slammed by hundreds of Victorians.

Staff at childcare centres in the south-eastern suburbs told the Herald Sun the lyric was being changed because of concerns over the racial connotations of “black”, and to reflect a multicultural community.

Kindergarten teachers have told the Herald Sun a centre in Melbourne’s east had also considered changing the line “one for the little boy who lives down the lane” in case it could be deemed sexist.

SUSIE O’BRIEN: The world has gone bonkers

Parents, teachers and hundreds of Herald Sun readers said it’s political correctness gone mad.

“What ignorance. The rhyme has nothing to do with race,” Amy said on heraldsun.com.au

Gavin said: “I am a person who has black skin. Can we please stop with the political correctness, it’s becoming a joke. The song is called baa baa black sheep. No need to change it!”

Leonie Meadows agreed: “It certainly is taking it too far. We have black sheep why can’t we call them black? Are we going to ban the colour black?”

One reader even took the time to come up with a new song - politically correct of course.

“Blah blah, that sheep

“Are you having a good day?

“I sure hope so

“Because I wouldn’t want to offend you

“In any way.”

Celine Pieterse, co-ordinator of Malvern East’s Central Park Child Care, said children could still use “black” if they chose to.

“We try to introduce a variety of sheep.”

At nearby Bubbles Pre-School, owner Belli Spanos encouraged the original lyrics: “There are black sheep and there are white sheep ... it’s not implying anything, other than the colour of the sheep.”

Cheltenham’s Lepage Primary principal came under fire in 2010 after pupils were told to replace “gay” with “fun” in Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gumtree.

The Education Department said it did not tell early learning staff what to teach children.