Samaritans to close ECEC in Newcastle and Woodberry despite community pressure

Early childhood education and care (ECEC) provider Samaritans Early Learning has made the difficult decision to cease operations at two of its New South Wales sites, Newcastle and Woodberry, despite calls from some in the community to keep the services open. 

Joanna Atkinson, a parent using the service, has launched a passionate campaign in local media and through advocacy site Change.org calling on the provider to reconsider, saying “there is no greater necessity at the moment than childcare.”

Ms Atkinson, who spoke recently with Newcastle Weekly journalist Rod Thompson, said the closure of the services “will be a great loss for the community,” as well as the children and parents.

In the affected communities there are nine long day care services, including Samaritans, and Ms Atkinson’s early attempts to secure vacancies at these services have been unsuccessful.

“From what I believe, there are only two vacancies available,” she said. 

“When you take in the neighbouring suburbs like Chisholm, Thornton, Beresfield and Woodberry, that’s 20,000 people we’re talking about. It just doesn’t seem right to close a much-needed facility in a region that’s growing.”

Speaking on behalf of the provider, a spokesperson indicated that the decision was a business one, made in order to direct resources to the core Samaritans services of welfare and emergency relief, something Samaritans has been doing in these communities since the early 1980s. 

“While Samaritans will cease operating the centres in December 2024, we have commenced discussions with both City of Newcastle and Maitland City Council with regards to supporting any potential transition of the services to alternate operators,” the spokesperson said.

“Samaritans will continue to provide consistent care at the two centres up until the date of closure.”

As well as her petition, Ms Atkinson has spoken with a number of local, state and federal politicians including Hunter MP Dan Repacholi, Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon, Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison, Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery and Maitland City mayor Philip Penfold.

Should her endeavours to have Samaritans keep the service open prove unsuccessful, Ms Atkinson is hopeful that the Council will step in and ensure another early learning service is supported to operate from the sites concerned. 

“Apparently the building is council-owned, Samaritans leased it off them,” she said, “so someone else – even a franchise or local company – can step in.”

“Whoever’s name is on there, I don’t care. It’s about keeping the staff and the service.”

Ms Atkinson’s petition is available here. To access the Newcastle Weekly coverage of this story please see here.