Centre wins the fight

AFTER months of indecision, Warilla Child Care Centre has won its fight to stay open.

At last weeks council meeting councillors unanimously decided to extend the lease of the centre for another five years alleviating the concerns of parents and local residents.

Independent company Australia Street was brought on board by council to assess the viability of the centre as the lease for the building that is owned by the Department of Housing drew to the end of its 30 year duration.

The centre was founded in 1976 in response to a campaign to provide childcare for local residents.

The Australia Street review found that in 2001 about 21 per cent of Warillas dwellings were owned by the Department of Housing.

It also found in 2001 that 284 households in Warilla did not have a car.

The review states there is a high level of grandparent care in association with the care provided by the centre.

It also noted the centre is utilised by the Department of Community Services to place children who are considered to have special needs or be at particular risk.

There is a good relationship between the staff in both agencies regarding meeting the specific needs of each child, the report said.

The report found a lack of long day care places in Warilla in comparison to other parts of Shellharbour city.

There is one long day care place for every nine children under six in the 2528 postcode compared with one long day care place for every eight in postcode 2527 and every three in postcode 2529.

Warilla falls into postcode 2528.

Based on all considerations the report found that Warilla Child Care Centre represents a significant social infrastructure asset for Shellharbour City Council and should not be closed.

The recommendation put before council last week stated that council negotiate a five year lease extension while a longer term strategy is negotiated.

It also stated that over the next five years council works with the NSW Department of Housing, NSW Department of Community Services and Federal Department of Family and Community Services to facilitate construction of a new childcare centre in a Warilla location.

Councils Group Manager Community Services and Development Linda Campbell said the review found that Warilla Child Care Centre is a significant social asset which should be maintained.

The review confirms that the area serviced by the centre has the lowest rate of long day care provision in the city and that low income and lack of transport are also significant factors, she said.

The key now for Warilla Child Care Centre is to maximise enrolments and Im confident a more secure future will help achieve that.

Simone Van Den Berg has her three year old son Nikolai Van Den Berg enrolled in the centre.

She said she was ecstatic with councils decision to keep the centre open as it means she will not have to uproot him before he starts kindergarten.

My sons development has really progressed at the centre. I believe it is because they have groups where children aged from two to five all interact together. Nikolai gets to spend time with children his own age but also with children a little bit older, she said.

She said she was unsure of what to expect when the centre first came under scrutiny.

I didnt know what was going to happen. I was expecting for it to change or to close. It wouldnt have surprised me if they decided to do something different, she said.

As a working parent Simone held concerns over the uncertainty with which the centre was faced and what alternatives where available for her children.

You cannot completely have peace of mind over something that is not resolved, I am relieved because I know that my child is going to stay there, she said.

To me the centre is not just a childminding centre. He loves to go because he is getting stimulated. There has never been any tears on any issues.

set up.