SECC questions tender process for after-school services at Gardeners Road Public School

Parents of Gardeners Road Public School pupils are calling for answers after the non-profit organisation that set up the school’s after-hours care was replaced by a profit-run firm based in Melbourne.

Gardeners Road Public School in Pagewood.

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Parents of Gardeners Road Public School pupils are calling for answers after the non-profit organisation that set up the school’s after-hours care was replaced by a profit-run firm based in Melbourne.

South East Community Connect ended the final days of term last year to discover it lost the right to run the service after operations were put to open tender by the Rosebery school and the Education Department and awarded to national provider OSHClub.

The service, which typically caters for working parents, was run by SECC since its formation in 2007. Over that time, the organisation funded more than $200,000 in school improvements including new flooring in classrooms, play equipment and safety lighting.

Parent Emma Chappell, who regularly used the service for her two children, said parents had been “stunned” to discover the change of operator. She said concerns were not directed towards OSHClub but the process by which SECC was replaced.

“All the kids were upset — most of the staff had been there for the entire 12 years and the kids treated them as part of their families,” she said.

“There was no consultation with parents.”

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Documents seen by the Southern Courier show SECC had a licence to operate the service for 75 children on fixed three-year agreements with optional two-year extensions.

A Department of Education spokesman said the tender process was requested by the school’s principal as SECC’s previous licence had expired.

Some parents have speculated if the process was used as a way to generate more funds out of the licence.

While the department did not confirm the cost, SECC said the tender included a first year licence fee of $22,169 for non-profit organisations and $38,759.70 for profit-run operators.

SECC deputy chief executive Ashleigh Daines said the charges were about 25 per cent higher than what it had paid, but still submitted a tender.

She said the organisation had now requested formal feedback to determine if the tender was carried out in a “fair and equitable process”.

In a statement, OSHClub declined to answer if after-hours care fees would increase at the school.

Chief executive Sinead Ryan said the company was “focused on ensuring that all children in our care have a smooth start to the new school term”.