SDN Children’s Services, the not-for-profit organisation that currently manages Gumnut childcare in Lithgow, said it plans to transfer tenancy of the childcare centre to ECEC Management Services on February 5.
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Following a meeting between the two childcare services, SDN said the successful tenderer for the council building’s tenancy has signaled its intention to retain current staff and families at the childcare centre on Proto Avenue.
“We had a meeting with them on Monday, they said to us they want it to be business as usual. And that they were hoping to keep families and the staff at Gumnut,” Dianne Speakman, SDN’s spokesperson, said.
After a council meeting on November 27, Mayor Stephen Lesslie announced the results of a tender for the lease of the childcare centre at 21 Proto Avenue, from which the not-for-profit SDN Gumnut currently runs. Council voted to continue negotiations with a new tenant and childcare provider for the site called ECEC Management Services and terminate SDN’s lease.
Ms Speakman said the next stage of discussions with ECEC Management would concern the transfer of SDN staff to ECEC Management’ service. She said staff at Gumnut were currently paid according to an enterprise agreement higher than the award wage.
“We’ve sent information to ECEC on their pay conditions and that will be the next stage of the discussions,” she said.
“Our view is that’s best for the families and best for the children to continue having the same care and staff. The staff are locals to Lithgow. It’s the best outcome for staff and children, though its sad to lose them from SDN.”
SDN are not looking at opening another childcare service in Lithgow, Ms Speakman said.
“We are sad to lose the centre, particularly as we have disability services in Lithgow as well. The new providers are looking to continue working with our disability services team, so hopefully they will be able to work together to continue that support.”
Ms Speakman said that council’s move to commercial rental rates was a trend the not-for-profit was facing in other areas.
“We’ve had pressure from other LGAs and we have other services that were government run move to commercial rents unfortunately.
“It’s a shame because what it does is make it more expensive for operators and that gets reflected in fees, which ends up getting paid for by families.”
ECEC Management has not replied to Lithgow Mercury’s requests for comment. A letter sent out by SDN on December 13 to parents said that ECEC Management did not have an immediate intention to change the fees for services at Gumnut.
