New 80-student childcare proposed for the Fleurieu Peninsula

A frustrated mum has been forced to consider childcare for her daughter almost an hour away, after facing lengthy wait lists in her town. But plans for a new centre could help alleviate the pain.

Plans to build a brand new 80-student childcare centre on the Fleurieu Peninsula have been tabled amid escalating waitlist blowouts in region.

Submitted by Lifecycle Property Group to the Alexandrina Council, the proposed childcare centre at Hutchinson Street, Goolwa would employ 15 staff.

Plans to build a brand new 80-student childcare on the Fleurieu Peninsula have been tabled amid waitlist blowouts. Pic: Brown Falconer

The proposed childcare centre features two outdoor play areas which will accommodate children of various ages, indoor areas, and a 20-bay car park.

If approved the centre could bring some much needed relief to local families, with childcare waitlists in the region blowing out to over a year.

Victor Harbor mum Michelle said she may be forced to drive as far as Aldinga or Strathalbyn for childcare.

“When my daughter was born, I was told to register her almost immediately at the community childcare centre, here in Victor,” she said.

The new centre would be a welcome site as some parents are waiting over a year to get their children into care. Pic: Brown Falconer

“She was only a couple of weeks old when I did and they said she’s 50th on the list.

“I applied for the franchise in McKracken but they said their only availability was at Aldinga and if that didn’t work Strathalbyn had a spot.”

Michelle said between trying to juggle becoming a mother, returning to work and the ever-rising cost of living, the long round trip was simply not an option.

“Driving to Aldinga, it’s not going to work, it’s not doable, I don’t know what to do,” she said.

“I told work I’m coming back in October but so many of the places just said ‘sorry but I don’t think that she will get in before then’.

“I’ll just have to work from home or wait until next year, but financially it’s really difficult, I don’t have an option.”

The stark reality has also prompted Michelle to register her daughter in a number of schools to ensure her educated isn’t affected.

“I’m just so scared that I’m going to have the same problem,” she said.

“I’m worried the hospital system and medical systems, is she going to be able to get into her appointments?”

A recent report showed parents are paying more than $131 a day in childcare fees in Adelaide, as new national figures reveal prices are rising even higher than Australia’s record inflation rate.

Australian Childcare Alliance South Australian president Kerry Mahony said the issue is widespread across regional South Australia.

Australian Childcare Alliance South Australian President Kerry Mahony. Pic: ACA SA

“There are some areas where we need more centres and there are others where we have too many,” he said.

“I would love to see someone set up a new centre at Victor Harbor and solve the problem,” he said.

“Unfortunately at the moment these families will have to travel to with vacancies otherwise they will have to seek private support at home which is not the same experience for the children, but for many places this has been a result from Covid a people essentially flocking to regional areas.”

Community consultation for the Goolwa development closes on August 15.