Troubled Rockhampton child care centre set to reopen next year

An elite Rockhampton school is in negotiations to take over the lease of the troubled Elfin House Community Child Care Centre.

The Rockhampton Grammar School is set to take over the lease of the troubled Elfin House Community Child Care Centre after it was forced to close. Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin

The Rockhampton Grammar School is set to take over the lease of the troubled Elfin House Community Child Care Centre after it was forced to close earlier this year before ultimately going into liquidation.

The elite private school is currently negotiating terms with the owner of the centre, Rockhampton Regional Council, and plans to reopen the centre early next year in what could be a win for North Rockhampton families seeking placements.

Its headmaster, Dr Phillip Moulds, said the school recognised the need to “ensure ongoing provision of high-quality early learning education and care to the local community”.

“We are committed to continuing to provide a community-based facility that is accessible to all families,” he said.

“If the proposal proceeds, the centre will undergo a significant renovation before opening in 2025, with a planned operating capacity of up to 75 places.”

The Rockhampton Grammar School Headmaster Dr Phillip Moulds says the school is committed to continuing to provide a community-based facility that is accessible to all families.

He said The Rockhampton Grammar School had been providing early childhood education and care to the community since 2007 and its centre, with an approved maximum of 193 children, was rated as exceeding national quality standards.

“The school is experiencing increasing demand from families living or working in North Rockhampton, who are seeking the high-quality education and care the RGS Early Learning Centre offers,” he said.

“If the new centre proceeds, it will continue to apply the Australian Government’s ‘Priority of Access Guidelines’ for childcare services to waitlist management.

“Applications for the new centre would be open to all families, including those families who may be on an existing wait list at RGS.”

Elfin House Community Childcare Centre was forced into closure.

A report to council at last week’s meeting outlined the school’s proposed upgrades to the Elphinstone Street child care centre, including refurbishing the children’s bathrooms, kitchen/preparation areas, storeroom and laundry.

The report also noted that due to the capital investment, RGS was seeking a longer-term lease of 20 years after the current lease expires in 2030.

“RGS have advised that they are very conscious that the current closure of the centre has caused a loss of this service to the community and will therefore expedite the reopening of the centre to ensure that the centre is ready for January 2025,” the report stated.

Jaxon Cosgrove and Cooper Kranski enjoying the playground at Elfin House in years gone by. Photo: Chris Ison / The Morning Bulletin

“Since Elfin House ceased operating, council officers have inspected the building and noted that it does require some structural repairs which is the responsibility of council, and these will be attended to in the normal course of maintenance.”

After some debate, councillors agreed to consent to the assignment of the current lease for the child care centre to the Board of Trustees for The Rockhampton Grammar School.

But councillors baulked at the RGS desire for an extended 20 year lease and said it would instead be investigating the possible sale of the property when the lease expires in 2030.

Originally published as Troubled Rockhampton child care centre set to reopen next year