Parents and staff have been stunned by the sudden decision to close a Footscray childcare centre.
Parents at Empire Street Early Learning Centre were devastated to learn their centre will close at the end of this year.
Maribyrnong councillors made the decision behind closed doors last Tuesday night on the advice of council staff drawing from a 2014 review of early years services.
Sophia Agneskis, who has her third child at the tight-knit centre, said the decision came without warning or input from parents.
“I had hoped there had been some kind of mistake,” she said.
“Apparently this has been going on for months, but this is the first the families know about it.”
Ms Agneskis said long-serving staff had been left in tears by a decision that would tear apart friendships and force upheaval on young children.
She added that the council’s refusal to release the review hampered proper scrutiny or accountability.
A letter to parents noted “physical limitations” at Empire Early Learning Centre “restrict its ability to meet the community’s changing needs and demands”.
The decision follows last year’s sudden closure of Maribyrnong Community Centre Occasional Childcare.
Centre-operator Early Childhood Management Services (ECMS) said it would work with council in the best interests of children and families.
Spokeswoman Angie Farrugia said staff would have first preference for vacant positions at other ECMS centres in the area.
“We’ll be working with staff over the coming months to assess their needs, wishes and the available options,” she said.
Council community services director Clem Gillings said the council has recently redeveloped and expanded a number of other centres.
“The closure of the Empire Early Learning Centre will affect 32 children currently placed at the centre,” she said.
Families currently enrolled at Empire Early Learning Centre requiring childcare in 2017 will be offered places at ECMS-managed Maribyrnong River Children’s Centre or Bulldogs Community Children’s Centre.
Ms Gillings said the closure was discussed with ECMS staff and parents last week and support was provided to both staff and families.
She said the council would not save any early years services costs as the children would be placed at other council-owned centres.
The council is yet to consider its options for the future of the Empire Early Learning Centre site.
