Eastern suburbs kindergarten services blindsided by provider
Dozens of kindergarten services across the eastern suburbs could be disrupted after a provider made the sudden announcement that it would focus on other areas.
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Families across the eastern suburbs have been blindsided by a kindergarten provider bailing out of providing services in six different council areas from the end of next year.
bestchance will stop managing 18 community-based kindergartens in Monash — where the buildings are owned by the council — and a further 16 in Banyule, Manningham, Maroondah, Whitehorse and Yarra Ranges.
Monash Mayor Stuart James said the council was “extremely disappointed” by the non-profit organisation’s decision.
“The council had already been in discussion with bestchance … and there was ample opportunity for the organisation to be frank and transparent with the council and the community about its strategic directions,” he said.
“This was the time for bestchance to advise the council of its strategic directions.
“Instead, bestchance said nothing. It is deeply concerning that bestchance did not reveal its plans earlier.
“To be told so close to the end of the kindergarten year and with so little warning is understandably disappointing and unsettling for our Monash families.”
bestchance chief executive Kevin Feeney said the company was concentrating its “efforts in some growth corridors and other communities” after a review.
It will continue to provide services throughout 2020.
“We recognise how important it is for families to access kindergarten programs,” he said.
“We will work with the Department of Education and Training as well as councils to support the ongoing access to kindergarten services for families as well as the transition of these services.
“We remain committed to continuing to serve the needs of children by ensuring we are providing, not only quality services but the right services to the right communities in a sustainable manner.”
bestchance only told parents at a Diamond Creek kindergarten earlier this month that it would shut at the end of this year.
The company will continue to provide kindergarten services at 36 centres in Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Cardinia, Greater Geelong, Greater Dandenong and Wyndham, as well as its long day care, family day care, training, early childhood intervention, Cheshire School and family support services.
Mr Feeney said in June that there had been “a decline in kindergarten enrolment numbers across Monash as well as a number of other local government areas”.
“We see this arising from local conditions such as changing number of children living in the area and the increased availability of alternatives such (as) long day care,” he said.
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Monash Council will work with the Education and Training Department “to resolve the issue” and to provide “certainty that a secure and viable service would be provided in the future with minimal disruption for families”.
bestchance did not respond to questions as to why it did not tell Monash Council of its pending decision earlier considering their ongoing communication.