Phillip Island families struggle through childcare crisis

The three-month closure of a Phillip Island childcare centre has families scrambling for alternatives in the midst of a daycare crisis in the Bass Coast.

Nurture One Children's Centre in Cowes.

The temporary closure of a Phillip Island childcare centre has left families scrambling for alternatives in the midst of a daycare crisis in Bass Coast.

Nurture One Cowes Children’s Centre shut its doors on October 15 for additional remedial works after flooding impacted the building.

After an extensive review, the centre was informed the works would take up to three months to complete.

Vanita Khosla, who has her two-year-old daughter Amber enrolled at the centre, said she was eager for her to be able to return.

“I am struggling big time now that I’m 27 weeks pregnant and have no family help,” she said.

“It’s annoying but I understand that it’s no one’s fault, when things happen they happen.”

The Cowes mum said the area desperately needed more childcare centres.

Area manager Amy Law said the team had “worked tirelessly” to review alternative locations to support families on the island.

“We continue to work with local and state authorities to open a suitable interim location, which meets all regulatory and health and safety requirements, while remedial works continue,” she said.

“We are extremely hopeful to share news about a viable interim venue in the coming weeks”. 

Bethany Richardson was a former employer at the centre and said demand was at an all-time high.

“Five years ago we needed another centre and now due to everyone moving down from Covid lockdowns, they are definitely in high demand,” she said.

“Four centres would solve the problem but we are running on one, I really feel for parents who have to work.”

Enrolments at Bass Coast childcare centres went “through the roof” since the pandemic started as many Melburnians flocked to the area for a seaside change.

Bass Valley Children’s Centre manager Sharyn Holmberg said the centre increased its occupancy and hired new educators to keep up with the demand.

Ms Richardson said she knew many who had asked stay-at-home parents to take care of their children.

“It won’t work long-term,” she said.

“The government need to look at funding for another centre as soon as possible.”

Bass Coast Shire Council’s chief executive Ali Wastie said she was aware many families were impacted by the temporary closure.

“While this is not a council building or a council service our community and social planning teams have been involved to support our community,” she said.

“They have been liaising with the Department of Education and Training, the centre’s management and owners of a range of public and private providers to try and identify a suitable location to set up a temporary facility.”

Ms Wastie said this included locations such as council facilities, church halls, schools and other childcare facilities.

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