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GOOD SERVICE: The great work at the City of Whyalla Child Care Centre has been recognised by Council.
The City of Whyalla has confirmed its commitment to the Whyalla Child Care Centre following a review of the operation.
As part of Council’s requirement to regularly assess all community operations, an extensive review of the child care centre was conducted which included consultation with staff, parents and the community.
Acknowledging the excellent service provided to the community over many years and outstanding care provided for children by the staff, the review recommended Council consider a new business plan that addresses cost neutral models and maximises the child care subsidy.
Council CEO Chris Cowley said the centre’s present business model involves discounted rates for families, under the market standard, with an average annual subsidy of $260,000 in ratepayer funds required from Council to keep the doors open.
“We are pleased to say the value of this service has been acknowledged and we are now moving down a business and operational planning path to make sure it stays around for many years to come,” Mr Cowley said.
“Our Council-run child care centre has provided excellent care for our children over many years with a team of dedicated workers, volunteers and the support of Council.
“We are committed to providing the same level of quality care because we value our staff and appreciate the service they, and the centre, provides for children and families in Whyalla.”
Mr Cowley said the review had highlighted a few commercial, operational and facility realities that needed to be dealt with to ensure the future of the centre.
“To provide the discounted service it now provides to families, the centre is currently being subsidised by more than $260,000 per year in Council funds while the centre itself requires some improvements to continue providing the best possible facilities for child care,” Mr Cowley said.
From the review it has been identified that the Whyalla Child Care Centre must become “cost neutral” to be sustainable and allow for upgrades and expansion. This can be achieved through obtaining grants, subsidies, working smarter and formulating a better business plan that may result in fees moving closer to regular market rates.
“Along the way, we will still be giving special consideration for parents who are experiencing financial hardship on a case by case basis,” Mr Cowley said.
At Monday’s night’s ordinary Council meeting, Whyalla’s elected members approved a recommendation that Council engage the services of a consulting company to manage the implementation of a cost neutral service delivery model.
This will involve a fee structure and policy review (with the inception date of January 1, 2020) and a transition to local market rates and then to a Child Care Subsidy capped hourly rate. The Child Care Subsidy is a capped hourly rate that maximises the Government subsidy for child care.
More information can be obtained by calling Council Director Corporate Robyn Dunstall on 8640 3444.