Round the clock childcare proposed for Sydney shift workers

The southern suburbs of Sydney could be home to a 24 hour childcare centre, should a proposal put to local council be successful, the Sydney Morning Herald have reported. The centre would be the second in the New South Wales capital to provide education and care to children whose parents work shifts.

The community consultation period around the proposal is now open, with Georges River Council exploring if there is a community demand for 24 hour care in suburbs such as Kogarah, Hurstville and Peakhurst.

The Herald reported a spokesperson for the council as saying one potential location for the centre – Kogarah – was chosen for its proximity to two hospitals, meaning there would be a likely demand for round the clock care for children of nurses, doctors and other health professionals.

The council flagged the potential for such a centre in the 2017 children’s services strategic plan, stating future population growth may necessitate the need for new children’s services, including those operating non standard hours.  

In addition to the hospital, a number of other services are centrally located to the hospital, including fire, ambulance, health care and other business, the spokesperson told The Herald.

A survey has been issued to residents in the area, seeking feedback about the proposal, and gathering demographic information about the number of shift workers in the area, and seeking comments on the likelihood of residents using such a service.

The survey also reportedly asks residents about the price point they would expect for such a service, what services residents would expect from the centre – including bedsheets, food, drinks, nappies, baths etc, The Herald wrote.

Sydney’s current 24-hour centre, World Tower Child Care, spoke with The Herald in response to the proposal, with operator Natalie Debes saying her team offered weekend and weeknight care on a case by case basis, with “a lot of families who request the 24 hour service because they have business or non-business functions to go to out of hours”

“Sometimes we have families who’ve travelled from overseas or interstate, for example we had one family who did the [Sydney Harbour] BridgeClimb so we looked after their kids while they did that.” Ms Debes said.

The community consultation ends next month. The original piece, as published by The Sydney Morning Herald may be read here.