Solutions being sought in wake of long day care closure

Coast Community Connections (CCC) is working with the Department of Education to help find solutions for families impacted by the closure of its long day care service for 0-5-year-olds on October 21.

Parents were left in the lurch when the service, located at Woy Woy, was closed with just two days’ notice, leaving many families distressed, some with jobs in jeopardy as childcare places remain scarce on the Central Coast.

CCC President Sharryn Brownlee said the organisation launched an investigation into its service operations following the successful transition of aged care services to an organisational focus on offering early learning and outside of school hours care across the region.

“From this, it was determined that the room for care of 0-5 children was not able to continue to operate under current regulations and government funding arrangements,” Brownlee said.

“On October 22, Coast Community Connections management and staff met with the Department of Education and we are working closely together to explore operational viability options for families with children aged 0-5 impacted by the closure.

“We sincerely appreciate the Department’s assistance and are hopeful that a viable solution can be found to support these families during this time.

“During the meeting, the Department confirmed that all obligatory notifications from Coast Community Connections were received as required.

“We sincerely apologise to the 29 families affected.

“We understand the significant inconvenience this has caused, especially considering the current challenges of securing childcare on the Central Coast.”

Brownlee said the safety and wellbeing of the children in the organisation’s care remain its highest priority.

“It is important to note that this does not affect our OOSH 5-12 years (before and after school care) services, which continue to support more than 250 local Peninsula families,” she said.

“All staff previously working within our 0-5yrs room have been provided alternatives to work within our services.

“Coast Community Connections is a not-for-profit organisation that has been supporting local families with Government subsidised children’s services for more than 45 years.”

Brownlee said the organisation was working with consultants to develop a purpose-built new facility that will expand its children’s services, expected to open next year.

“Finally, we would like to request that the community consider the impact of the personal attacks directed towards our staff and board members,” she said.

“We ask for your understanding as we work through this matter with our team, many of whom have been with us for close to two decades.

“We remain committed to ensuring the safety and care of those we support across our services.”