Parents fight to save beloved community preschool as council chooses private provider

Parents in Sydney’s north are rallying to save KU Chatswood Community Preschool, a much-loved KU Children’s Service’s not-for-profit preschool service that has supported families for over four decades, after Willoughby City Council confirmed it was not renewing its lease. 

For 44 years, KU’s Chatswood Community Preschool in the Willoughby City Council has been a trusted, affordable preschool option for local families, charging as little as $13 a day under the NSW Government’s Community Preschool Start Strong funding program. The service is at full capacity and has a lengthy waitlist, reflecting strong demand from the community.

Despite this, the council has awarded a long-term lease to Little Lion Early Learning, a private provider, sparking outrage among parents and educators who say the decision prioritises revenue over community need.

For many families, the preschool’s closure will have significant financial and practical consequences.

Parent Fiona, who has two children at KU, said the centre’s affordability allowed her to balance work and family life.

“Now with the pending closure, it’s either I quit working, or I go part-time. Long day care will mean cutting back on a lot of things,” she said.

Parents describe KU as more than a preschool; it is a place where children feel safe, nurtured and inspired to learn.

“It’s a safe and trusted place where the educators are highly experienced,” said parent Billy.

In a statement, Willoughby City Council said it must balance community needs with financial responsibility when managing property assets.

Council confirmed KU’s lease expired in 2022, and while leases for two other KU preschool services within the LGA, were renewed at subsidised rates, negotiations over the Chatswood preschool centre were put on hold after KU rejected two lease offers as the council wanted it to become a long day care service. 

KU Children’s Services CEO Christine Legg explained;

“In 2024, negotiations on the lease renewal remained on hold while the council explored redeveloping the site and towards the end of last year we were told that another provider made an unsolicited proposal. Earlier this year we were given a short time frame to submit an EOI which was unsuccessful.” 

The council said the selection of Little Lion Early Learning was based on the “overall value and sustainability” of its proposal, which ensures continued delivery of early learning services “while reducing the need for residents to subsidise operations into the future.”

The new operator has stated parents will have access to government CCS fee relief including the NSW Long Day Care Start Strong subsidy.

“This preschool is part of the community’s fabric. Closing it removes an affordable, high-quality option for families who need it most,” she said.

The closure raises wider questions about the future of community-based preschools in NSW. Unlike long day care, which is funded by the Commonwealth, state-run preschools operate under different funding and governance models.

With cost-of-living pressures mounting, parents fear that replacing not-for-profit services with private providers will further limit access to affordable early education.

The decision also reflects broader tensions in the early childhood sector, where market forces increasingly influence availability, affordability and quality. KU’s demographic analysis showed that the majority of Long Day Care services in the area have significant vacancies with the preschools having long waiting lists showcasing the need for this vital service. 

Families and KU have launched a campaign urging the council to reconsider its decision, arguing that the loss of KU Chatswood Community Preschool will have lasting impacts on children, families and the local community.

“This service has been here for 44 years. It’s more than numbers on a page, it’s where our children feel safe and loved,” one parent said.

As the December closure date approaches, the future of KU Chatswood Community Preschool remains uncertain. Parents say they will continue to fight alongside KU to preserve a service that embodies the principles of accessibility, quality and community care values at the heart of early childhood education.

To read the original coverage of this story, as produced by 9Now, please see here.

Footnote: following a meeting with Willoughby City Council, KU and families, council have confirmed that the lease is finalised with Little Lions. KU and the families are investigating other possibilities to relocate the service.