A council spokesperson says the reduction in places for children under three years, will be phased in over two years to allow the children to transition into the older groups, “meaning those families who currently access this care, will not be left without the care they need for children in this age group”.
It’s part of a plan by the council to “re-energise its child care facilities under a new model to bring better value for rate payers and families”.
The nine council-owned and run long day care centres provide care for 660 children and are heavily subsidised by the rate payer – up to $1.9 million a year.
The spokesperson said the new model would revitalise nine council-owned child care centres by consolidating some services and balancing enrolments across different age groups to implement the best operating model.
The council put together a working group that included staff, union representatives, two councillors and an expert consultant who were tasked with developing a proposal to improve the operations and financial performance of the council’s long day care centres.
Mayor Steve Christou said the working group had ‘run the numbers’ and recommended keeping the operation of the centres in the council’s control, with some adjustment to the operating model to make sure these services were financially viable in the longer term.
“The existing model was expensive and not sustainable. This new model will ensure we can offer quality care at better value,” he said.
“We believe we’ve come to a fair and equitable decision that will balance the needs of families and the community.”
Slash spots in childcare
CHILDCARE places for children under three years will be slashed at centres operated by Cumberland Council to reduce costs and make them more sustainable.
