End of year wait for child care decision

A decision is expected on the fate of the Warilla Child Care Centre before the end of the year.

Linda Campbell, Group Manager Community Services and Development Shellharbour City Council, said the public meeting held recently achieved it goal getting the information council required to make an informed decision.

All interested parties including representatives from Shellharbour City Council, Warilla Child Care teachers, the original founder of the centre Ann Harrison and parents of the children who attend the centre convened at the centre to discuss the viability of the centre and the options of council, the parents and the Department of Housing who own the block of land.

The lease of the land from the Department of Housing to Council will run out in December next year.

Council is confident if the land is handed back to the Department of Housing at the end of the lease it will not continue to run the child care centre as that is not its core business.

However council remains confident the department will extend the lease if council asks for it.

Our latest indications are that they are prepared to extend the lease, Ms Campbell said.

Parents speak

Parents stood up one after the other to express their concerns on the future of the centre.

Many were unsure what other options they would have if Warilla Child Care Centre were to close down, others argued for the centre to remain open and in its current location because they believe it is a superior centre to others in the area.

It was stated that the location is accessible form all areas of Warilla, it is on a public transport route, it is near the primary school and the limited traffic in the area ensures the childrens safety.

One parent commented Warilla Child Care Centre was the best start their child could possibly have to life.

With a bit of luck they will be able to break the cycle of disadvantage, he said.

Former Mayoress Ann Harrison knocked on every door in Warilla 30 years ago to determine if a childcare centre was needed in the area.

In her view the centre is required now as much as ever.

For council not to have maintained this place is wrong, she said.

Ms Harrison urged parents to become active in their fight to keep the centre open.