UPDATE: 10.08am: CITY of Greater Bendigo community wellbeing director Pauline Gordon said permanent staff at the Bendigo Early Learning Centre would have a choice at which other council-run centre they would continue their employment.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
“Our staff are employed where they can work across any centre,” Ms Gordon said.
“Their conditions state they can work at any centre, so they are not tied to a particular centre.
“The staff will be involved with how that occurs – they will form a consultative committee to decide who wants to go to what centre.”
Ms Gordon said parents too would have options, with a new 104-place centre due to open in Epsom next year and other centres planned for Kangaroo Flat and a second one in Epsom.
“We also have vacancies in council’s own run centres for the next year,” he said.
Council has confirmed 10 workers on temporary contracts would not be offered new roles.
These positions will be gradually phased out over the next 14 months.
UPDATE 9.50am: Speaking just after hearing the news, parent Paolo Righetti said the level of support at the Bendigo Early Learning Centre was the best in the city.
"(It) just feels sad that probably the best facility in Bendigo for childcare is closing, and some of the best people in childcare will eventually be losing their jobs. It's just very sad," he said.
"I think it's a tough job. The conditions the people work in and the facilities they have here are some of the best in Bendigo."
Mr Righetti said he was planning to send his younger daughter to the Bendigo Early Learning Centre as well, but would have to make other arrangements.
"There are other centres in Bendigo, I think it's sad that council is looking to get out of childcare centres," he said.
UPDATE 9.45am: Mr Niemann said all of the council-run centres lost money in operation.
"This centre was going to require an upgrade," he said.
"In terms of our budget, it is not big money. It's the principle of the community having to subsidise childcare."
UPDATE 9.42am: Chief executive Craig Niemann said the 11 permanent staff would be given jobs at other council run centres.
Ten casual staff would be left out of work in the lead up to the end of 2015.
Mr Niemann said there was "a lot of emotion" from staff when informed of the decision.
Mayor Barry Lyons said it was a "very difficult decision".
"Last Wednesday night was a real difficult decision as was last night to break the news to staff," he said.
"It will be a challenge to parents to find another provider for their childnen."
UPDATE 9.40am: Australian Services Union branch co-ordinator Billy King said quality childcare is "delivered by local government", not by those seeking a profit.
"We believe local government plays an integral part in early childhood services," he said.
"To lose a council service for no particular reason other than to say that there's a new centre being built at the hospital doesn't make sense."
Mr King said most new centres were built with rubber walls and had a "clinical" feel, while the Bendigo Early Learning Centre had vegetable gardens, bark, grass and other textures necessary for child development.
UPDATE 9.22am: Chief executive Craig Niemann said support would be provided to ensure the best outcome for staff and families.
"The city would like to thank all Bendigo ELC staff for the excellent care and education they have provided to local families," he said.
"This decision has been given careful consideration and was influenced by a number of factors including findings from the Independent Review of the city, which acknowledged council was conducting a review of its role in early childhood services and that it developed ways to manage any recommended changes arising from this review.
"This city provides about 10 per cent of childcare places in the local market. A new 104-place centre nearby the hospital precinct will open in November, and another centre will open in Kangaroo Flat next year."
The statement released to media this morning also said the council has made no decision about the future of the Bendigo ELC building but would do so before it closed in December 2015.
UPDATE 9.11am: The City of Greater Bendigo has confirmed at a 9am media briefing the Bendigo Early Learning Centre will close in December 2015.
In a statement released by the council this morning, it says there are an increasing number of providers who can provide an equivalent level of service within the community.
"The council has elected to focus its resources on the strategic planning of early years services, such as the delivery of upgraded and new preschool infrastructure like the redevelopment of the Strathfieldsaye Community Hub," the statement reads.
"From 2016, staff will be offered employment at the city's two other childcare centres and occasional care centre.
"Families wanting to re-enroll at another city service or with another provider will be assisted in doing so.
"More than 12 months notice has been given to make all transitions as easy as possible."
Chief executive Craig Niemann said the council understood the announcement would be distressing for staff, parents and children.
UPDATE 9.05am: Parent Elise Lidgett said it was difficult to find childcare for her four year-old son, who lives with cerebral palsy.
She said the staff had been fantastic for her son when other centres struggled to find a suitable place.
Australian Services Union branch co-ordinator Billy King said staff were notified last night of the decision.
He encouraged parents to lobby the council through all means.
Mr King said the council had never included the centre in its Rosalind Park Master Plan.
There are 55 places at the centre, with 11 permanent staff and 21 casual.
UPDATE 8.36am: The centre caters for up to 100 families, has four rooms and staff with up to 30 years experience.
Parent Bryley Savage said the centre offers a level of care and support not available at other childcare centres.
"There are staff here looking after the kids of the kids that they've looked after in the past," she said.
"It's a beautiful place inside with a wonderful garden out of the back.
"The best part is that the staff actually care."
The Bendigo Advertiser understands staff have been moved on to contracts in the last 12 months.
EARLIER: Parents are being informed that the Bendigo Early Learning Centre will be closing from December 2015.
The City of Greater Bendigo will make the official announcement at 9am this morning.
The centre plans to send out an email and letter to parents explaining the transition away from the Park Road centre.
The Bendigo Advertiser has contacted mayor Barry Lyons, who was tight-lipped about the details of this morning's announcement.
"You will have to wait until 9 o'clock," he said.
Council launched a review of the cost of childcare services in the city in early 2013. Read more here: