Port Lincoln families call for more support as OSHC options remain limited

Families living in Port Lincoln, a town on the Lower Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, have called for more support after more than 100 of them face no options for outside school hours care (OSHC) following the closure of BYK Kids. 

The provider was forced to close recently after more than six months of uncertainty following the non-renewal of its lease. BYK Kids was the only provider of after school care in Port Lincoln, and the closure has heavily impacted local families. 

Former program manager Cassandra Bilney was despondent about the closure, telling the ABC “I don’t know what the solution is…the lack of services is definitely a problem.”

Both the Copper Coast and the Barunga West regional councils have supported family childcare on the Yorke Peninsula, admitting that the lack of options for early childhood education and care was having “a flow-on economic effect” on the community.

Copper Coast Council CEO Russel Peate told the ABC that the Council had worked with Kadina Childcare Incorporated to help find an affordable rental site.

“We’ve partnered with them and determined a site that’s crown land under our care and control, that’s been endorsed by council and we’re working towards a long-term lease,” Mr Peate said.

Meanwhile, Barunga West Council has provided grants of up to $2,000 for people encountering challenges trying to set up a family daycare.

“Council is willing to support those in our community with the ultimate goal of seeing them set up family daycare in their own home as early as next year,” a council statement read.

“The work involves securing up to $1.9 million of government funding to build a facility, and ensuring there is ongoing community and government support for its long-term viability.”

A Port Lincoln City Council spokesperson told the ABC they were aware of BYK Kids’ plight but did not have any facilities to assist.

“Council doesn’t have any fit-for-purpose facilities that would meet their needs at this time, however we understood that they had some strong options within the local community with more appropriate facilities.”

In response to community concerns St Joseph’s School recently announced it would open its own OSHC service by partnering with the YMCA in coming months.

To read the ABC coverage of this story, please see here.