Parents fight Willoughby Council plan to privatise Chatswood’s Devonshire Street Childcare Centre

Dozens of families are protesting a council move to outsource the operation of a longstanding Sydney childcare centre.

A photo of parents who are opposing the privatisation.

A north shore council has angered parents as it pushes ahead with a contentious plan to privatise its last community-run childcare centre.

Dozens of families are protesting a move by Willoughby Council to outsource the operation of the longstanding Devonshire Street Childcare Centre at Chatswood.

The council-run centre has operated for 36 years and caters for up to 59 families in the high-density suburb.

Parents said they were shocked to discover the council was now seeking to privatise the centre through an ‘expression of interest’ process.

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

The centre has operated since 1987.

Fiona Chang, whose two sons attend the centre, said the issue had caused concern for many families.

“I grew up in the area and what attracted me to the centre is the educators – it’s more than just a childcare centre, it’s a community,” she said. “All the educators know you by name – not just the children but the whole family and they’re so loving and caring.

The centre caters for families in the high-density suburb.

“Some staff have been there for more than 20 years and we’re worried a private company will look at making cuts and change the way the centre is run and operated.

“All the parents are worried about – we live locally, we pay our fees to the council but what are they giving us? It’s the last council-run centre in the local area and it doesn’t make sense to sell it off.”

In a letter to parents, Willoughby Council states it was undertaking “all due diligence in sourcing a new provider” and the outsourcing of the centre was “not intended to increase fees”.

“Council understands the concerns of families in relation to the outsourcing. Council is committed to preserving the property for the purposes of childcare provision and ensuring that the day-to-day operation of the centre is retained in the current form in order to minimise the impact of changes on children and their families,” the letter states.

“Service continuity is central to this, and the new provider must demonstrate that they have the necessary resources, expertise, and experience to continue providing quality care.”

“It is important to note that the new provider may be able to offer more flexible arrangements that better suit some families, and they will also have the ability to offer opportunities for career development and growth for staff

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

Union general secretary Graeme Kelly said there also was “no justification for the privatising” the centre at a time when many families are struggling with cost-of-living pressures.

“A private provider will have profit as its main motivator and maximising profits will come at a cost, the only question is who will pay? It has to be either the workforce or the customers,” he said.

Parents are preparing to attend a council meeting next week to protest the council’s decision.

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

“The outcome of the tender will be completed in April and will involve assessment against a predetermined assessment criteria,” she said. “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.

“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.

“Council understands the changes proposed to Devonshire Street Childcare Centre poses a number concerns for families using the centre, however our intent is to ensure any transfer of service is managed in a manner to minimise the impact on families. Staff are likely to have increased choices of careers and work locations.”

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

A petition opposing the privatisation was launched this month and has already surpassed 500 signatures.