Parents at the Telegraph Point Children's Centre are outraged government ministers haven't stepped in to stop the closure of their preschool.
When questioned in parliament this week, the Minister for Early Education said due to contractual and compliance issues the current provider simply wasn't able to continue operating it.
Shadow Minister for Early Childhood Education, Kate Washington says it's ridiculous the government couldn't step in.
"The Department and the Minister keeps pointing to commercial complexities but this is a government that can enter into contracts to build...a light rail down George Street but they can't navigate a solution to keep a small childcare service open. It just beggars belief," she said.
According to Kate Washington, it's an outrage the government didn't take action and stop the small preschool from closing, especially when alternative arrangement plans were offered to them.
"The operator and the community have put lots of alternative options to the Minister and the Department to keep the doors open but then they have all been rejected and the Department has instead only told the families that they need to find services elsewhere."
She says because of the Department's inaction, local families and their children are put at a disadvantage.
"[The school] provides vocation care, outside of hours care, pre-schooling and childcare to that small community and surrounding areas.
"Children will now miss out on the all-important transition to the local school. Families will struggle to juggle their work and family commitments. It's a sad day for Telegraph Point."
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| Kate Washington [Image: North Arm Cove] |
