City of Nedlands confirms Point Resolution Childcare Centre closure

The City of Nedlands has confirmed that the Point Resolution Childcare Centre (PRCC) will close next week. 

“The aging PRCC building, and the service it aims to offer, cannot meet the high regulatory, legislative and compliance standards set, federally, for Australia’s childcare services,” a statement from the City notes.

“The welfare of the children comes first.”

In reaching its decision the City noted “rigorous state and national regulations and standards,” adding that “childcare is not a Local Government responsibility.”

“Our Council has recognised childcare is an increasingly specialised and high-investment service,” the statement continued, noting the safety, building standards, governance, and health requirements such as kitchen hygiene, toilets, bedding, allergy, medication and nutritional standards. 

“In the case of PRCC, an audit has revealed serious constraints and deficiencies in the aging building, and infrastructure and operation, which prevents the delivery of state and nationally-accredited compliant child care.” 

In light of this information the Council determined that “the risk for the children in today’s age is simply too high of an undertaking for a Local Government.” 

Expressions of Interest (EOI) will be sought for a suitable approved provider to invest in and upgrade the premises, with a report on the EOI process to be provided to the Council before the end of the year.

“The City of Nedlands acknowledges the sentiment and sadness being felt by the families affected by the pending closure of PRCC,” the statement continued. 

“As the City communicated, personally, to each family, Council’s decision was difficult. We are fortunate, in the City of Nedlands, to live in a region rated among the Top 5 in WA for accessibility to childcare (sic) services. This offers all of us confidence the centre’s children, can be relocated, conveniently, by the October 9 closure date.”