Northside Community Services to close Civic Early Childhood Centre due to viability

Freya Lucas

Aug 22, 2024

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Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Northside Community Services will close its Civic Early Childhood Centre on Childers Street in mid September due to low occupancy and concerns about financial viability.

A statement from the provider indicates that the decision has been made, in part, due to a change in the working patterns of parents, many of whom are electing to work from home.

"With a current occupancy rate less than 50 per cent, continued operations at the Centre are financially unviable," the statement notes.

Compounding the decision is the significant maintenance and repair issues with the facility over recent years, the cost of which would be ‘excessive’ to remediate.

"We have investigated other suitable locations to run these services, but a suitable alternative has not been identified," the statement continues.

The decision has drawn attention in the local community, given the pending closure of four other ECEC services a suburb over on the campus of the Australian National University.

Rated as Meeting the National Quality Standard, the Civic Early Childhood Centre currently has 70 licenced places and operates from 7.30am to 6pm on weekdays.

The Care for Kids website notes the service as charging $120 per day for education and care, lower than the average fee of $149 per day for other services in the area.

The service has been operating under Northside Community since 1988, with the provider pledging to support families to locate alternative care, acknowledging the significant impact this closure will have on families, children and staff.

"Our priority is supporting families to find alternative care and educational arrangements at another Northside early childhood centre, or a suitable alternative arrangement,” the statement notes.

Access local coverage of this story here.

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