Brimbank council has been implored to offer a “one-off” lifeline to help a much-loved childcare centre out of financial strife.
The 42 families who have children enrolled at the not-for-profit Keilor Downs Childcare Centre (KDCC) were told last week the centre faces immediate closure, with debts of $70,000.
Parents and the centre’s 11 staff have vowed to fight for the centre, which has been in operation for 30 years, and are lobbying Brimbank council to keep it afloat.
KDCC co-ordinator Anne Maglicic said the Thornhill Drive centre was no longer viable because of the rising costs involved in keeping to the federal government’s educator-to-child ratio.
“We started struggling in 2011 when the laws changed and now it’s really started to hit us. With the one-to-11 ratio next year, it will only get worse,” Ms Maglicic said.
“Our location doesn’t do us any favours either as we’re in quite a hidden spot, so if we don’t advertise, which is also costly, people don’t know we exist.”
Ms Maglicic said staff are very disappointed. One member has worked at the centre for 18 years.
“Considering the turnover rate in childcare is two years, this is very telling,” Ms Maglicic said. “They give their heart and soul to this place.
“We’ve got families who come here from Doreen and Caroline Springs because they know the level of service we provide.
“Some parents have said they plan to resign from work as they’re not comfortable leaving their children in another environment.”
Josie Taylor, whose two-year-old daughter attends KDCC, was one of more than a dozen concerned parents who joined staff at a Brimbank council meeting last Tuesday.
“This centre is the holy grail of childcare centres,” Mrs Taylor said. “It’s a local gem and perfect on many levels. It’s a rarity you find staff so committed.
“For Brimbank council to tell us to go elsewhere, that parents should access one of the 43 other centres is stupid and arrogant,” she said.
“The council is trying to pass the buck; they don’t care. We know they have the power to give this centre a financial lifeline.”
Brimbank council administrative chair John Watson said the council was concerned, and he hoped the centre’s present difficulties could be resolved.
“Brimbank is providing ongoing advice … to assist the not-for-profit parent committee continue to operate,” Mr Watson said.
“Brimbank supports the delivery of a range of early years services, however, council is not a childcare provider and does not financially support … childcare services. [These] are provided by both not-for-profit and commercial businesses and operate in a private market,” he said.
Childcare is subsidised under the federal government’s childcare rebate, with early years education standards managed by the state government.
