Related Content: Telegraph Point Children's Centre set to close on June 23
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Telegraph Point families have met with the Opposition Spokesperson for Early Childhood Education impending the closure of the children’s centre on June 23.
The Telegraph Point Children’s Centre has about 20 children enrolled and also caters as an out of school hours (OOSH) facility and vacation care centre.
Ms Washington said the community of Telegraph Point has been failed by the Minister and the Department of Education.
“The community is facing the closure of their only childcare centre due to departmental stuff-ups and a Minister failing to step in,” she said.
In December 2016 the current business owner Jennifer Worthing did not renew a lease with the Department of Education for the land on which the childcare business resides. She said she has decided not to continue with another five year lease.
Ms Washington said the closure of the centre will mean families will struggle to juggle their work and family commitments while children miss out on vital preschool time.
“We now have kids who are heading into school next year, having their pre-school preparation disrupted,” she said.
“They will lose the stable learning environment, their friends and trusted teachers.
“They won’t be able to engage in the usual transition to their local school.”
The Minister for Early Childhood Education Sarah Mitchell said the government is determined to ensure children and families of Telegraph Point have access to a quality early childhood education service.
“Any suggestion otherwise is misleading and scaremongering,” she said.
“This is just typical of Labor to play politics with children.”
Minister Mitchell said due to compliance and contractual issues the current provider of the Telegraph Point preschool is not able to continue to operate.
She said the Department of Education will continue to engage with the local community to identify suitable short and long-term options for families.
“The Department of Education will also shortly tender the Early Childhood Education site at the Telegraph Point School to find a suitable operator.”