Sydney childcare centre on brink of closure offered 12-months rent free

A not-for-profit early learning center in Sydney's eastern suburbs, Goodstart East Sydney, has been granted a reprieve from closure after a community-led effort by over 60 families. The center, located in Darlinghurst, had informed families of its impending shutdown on November 26 due to significant financial losses, despite operating at high occupancy.

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I hope this gives comfort and certainty to parents that we are committed to ensuring stability and the learning community they have built in Darlo.

Goodstart cited the building's design and location as reasons for the financial strain. In response to the potential closure, Lord Mayor Clover Moore stepped in, offering the center 12 months of free rent. Moore expressed hope that this gesture would provide parents with certainty and demonstrate the council's commitment to maintaining the stability of the local learning community.

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Losing the centre would be so devastating. What we really feel for is the staff of the centre too, they probably won't have jobs.

Parents, however, remain concerned about the long-term viability and the scarcity of childcare options in the Darlinghurst area. Tim Martin, a father of two, described the potential loss as "devastating" and noted that nearby centers are already full, making it difficult to find alternative arrangements. Many families had placed their children on waiting lists months in advance, anticipating the center's closure.

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I don't think many of us have much of a plan B because there aren't many options in the area at all.

Fiona Thatcher, whose 11-month-old daughter has been on the waiting list since she was 12 weeks old, echoed these concerns. She stated that finding alternative care would likely involve enrolling in multiple centers and significant travel, as well as losing the dedicated educators at Goodstart East Sydney. Labor Councillor Zann Maxwell acknowledged the high demand for childcare in the inner-city area and criticized the provider's "mixed messages" regarding the closure, emphasizing the importance of retaining such essential services for young families.

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The last thing we want to see is the loss of a childcare centre in the inner-city. We want to be making sure that this is the kind of place where all sorts of people can live, including young families, and we're not serious about it if we let places like this close.