Plans unveiled for new Mount Gambier Goodstart Early Learning Centre

A regional city with a severe lack of childcare spaces has welcomed plans for a new centre but the proposal has raised concerns over how it will be staffed.

More than 100 new childcare spaces are set to created in one of South Australia’s most in demand areas but the proposal has highlighted the regional city’s shortage of educators.

Plans for a new knockdown redevelopment would see a new Goodstart Early Learning Centre built on Crouch St in Mount Gambier’s CBD.

The proposed childcare centre is designed to accommodate for up 107 children and will feature six activity rooms an outdoor play area and a 27 vehicle carpark.

A house, shed and dilapidated outbuildings are expected to be levelled to make way for the development.

Artist renderings of proposed new Goodstart Early Learning Centre. Picture: Frank Brennan Consulting

Mount Gambier recently ranked as SA’s fourth most in demand area of childcare, with 18 centres spread throughout the city while fees are also among the highest in the state with parents on average $121.94 for long day care.

Parents are currently facing long waitlists to get their children into care with Mount Gambier Child Care Centre acting assistant director Nikita Grosvenor saying she had a “folder full of waitlist forms”.

“Families need more care options, because we can’t accommodate for everyone,” she said.

Mrs Grosvenor said anew childcare centre “would mean that more people could go back to work”.

Despite the clear need, she raised concerns staff would need to be pulled from other childcare centres to fill it.

A new Goodstart Early Learning Centre is planned for Crouch St Mount Gambier. Picture: Frank Brennan Consulting

“We definitely need it … (but) I don’t think that Mount Gambier has the employment or anyone to employ,” she said.

“My only concern is that you’re going to take a lot of staff (from another centre).

“What happens to that centre when 10 educators resign?”

SA Australian Childcare Alliance president Kerry Mahony said there was a shortage of qualified educators and finding enough staff to ensure centres had the legislated child-to-staff ratios was a struggle.

“There’s quite a critical shortage of trained staff available even in the city,” he said.

Mrs Grosvenor echoed Mr Mahony’s sentiments saying the Mount Gambier Child Care Centre was stretched to the limits.

“We currently have enough staff at the moment … but there’s no relief staff,” she said.

“I would need to go on to the floor if someone called in sick.”

Public consultation on the plans are set to close on November 24.

Goodstart Early Learning Centre was contacted for comment.