Maroubra childcare centre reopens 15 months after arson attack

Only About Children (OAC) welcomed children, families, educators, local community members and dignitaries to its Maroubra centre on Saturday, marking the official reopening of the service after an extensive rebuild.

OAC Maroubra is a community early learning centre that has welcomed families from all backgrounds across the local area for many years. The centre closed on 21 January 2025 following an antisemitic arson attack. Last week, children returned to a fully restored space.

Formalities included a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Federal Member for Kingsford Smith Matt Thistlethwaite MP, NSW Attorney General and Member for Maroubra Michael Daley MP, NSW Shadow Education Minister Felicity Wilson, and representatives from Randwick City Council, alongside OAC CEO Anna Learmonth, the centre's educators and the children and families they care for.

"The reopening marks a fresh start for the children who will fill the classrooms, the educators guiding them and the families entrusting the centre with their care. This space is not just for learning, but is about strengthening community and supporting one another," said Mr Thistlethwaite.

The rebuild involved over 12 months of work to restore the physical space, with deliberate care taken to make it feel safe again for the returning children, families and educators.

"The past year has not been without difficulty, but Saturday marked a strong new chapter for this centre. A large team here has worked extraordinarily hard to make this happen, and I could not be prouder of what they have delivered for the families and children of Maroubra," said Ms Learmonth. "Especially at a time when the world can be challenging, early childhood services offer a place of steadiness and joy for children. We were reminded of this at OAC Maroubra on Saturday."

Saturday's event was full of celebration, optimism and a lot of face paint, with a strong community and family turnout. As children returned to the centre last week, it was positive to see them settle back in so quickly; the new, yet familiar surroundings felt like home to them.

Ms Learmonth said the reopening was an important milestone for the community and educators who have stood by the centre throughout the closure.

The Maroubra centre is now operational and welcoming children back to care.