Families pack Willoughby Council chambers to oppose Chatswood Devonshire St Childcare privatisation

More than 200 parents and children packed a Sydney council meeting chambers to voice their opposition to the privatisation of a much loved community childcare centre.

Parents packed Willoughby Council’s chambers on Monday to oppose the privatisation.

Angry parents have vowed to fight on after a Sydney council voted to delay a decision on outsourcing the management of a long-running childcare centre.

More than 200 parents and children packed Willoughby Council’s meeting chambers on Monday night to voice their opposition to the privatisation of Devonshire Street Childcare Centre.

The council-run facility in Chatswood has operated for 36 years, catering for up to 59 families in the high-density suburb.

But many families in the community have strongly opposed the council’s plan to privatise the centre through an ‘expression of interest’ process which was due to be determined by councillors on Monday.

The move has also caused uncertainty among staff – including for those who have worked at the centre for the last two decades.

Families attended the council meeting on Monday night.

Evangeline Martinez, whose four children attended the centre, was among speakers who addressed the council meeting on Monday urging councillors to keep the centre in public hands.

“It has excellent standards of services for the community and there is less staff turnover than private centres,” she said.”The staff care and they provide an excellent standard of service.

A photo of banners created by children of the centre.

“We have one council operated centre in Willoughby. It has a waiting list. Clearly the community wants this centre to be here.”

Alexis Lin, aged 7, also spoke at the meeting – describing outsourcing the centre as a “money making” exercise.

“If you need more money for council, would you sell our schools too?” she said. “Please do not get rid of our childcare.”

Parent Pauline Cassel called for the council to “put the community and children first”.

The final decision has been deferred until next month.

“Children our future, these are the faces behind the numbers,” she said. “I urge you to consider voting against outsourcing – you can make the choice to continue providing the highest level of education to the littlest members of our community.”

Despite dozens of parents registering to speak at the meeting, eight of 13 councillors voted to defer a decision on the outsourcing until the next council meeting in June.

Mayor Tanya Taylor said a one-month deferral would allow councillors more time to consider the issue – noting it had drawn strong community interest and dozens of written submissions.

But councillor Anna Greco wanted the matter dealt with on Monday – saying councillors have been aware of the proposal since at least last year.

A photo of the centre.

A council spokeswoman previously told this publication the council conducted an expression of interest process in November 2022, followed by a selective tender process in March 2023.

“Input from families and staff was used to develop the assessment criteria, which include provisions for the ongoing employment of staff and preservation of the current operating model and standard of care,” she said.

“Service continuity is crucial, and the new provider must demonstrate that they have the necessary resources, expertise, and experience to continue providing quality childcare care without interruption.”

The United Service Union, which represents centre staff, has raised concerns over potential job losses or pay cuts for impacted workers

The centre was founded in 1987 and caters for children aged 0-6.