ICS shelves day care plans
By Michelle Neathercote
Illawarra Children’s Services (ICS) has abandoned plans to convert Helensburgh Community Preschool into a multi-function long day care centre due to a lack of funding.
Preschool director Renae Beckett said the Department of Community Services had initially approached the centre to provide care for 0-2 year olds because of the shortage of day care places for babies and toddlers in the area.
“They approached us to apply for the funding as this area only has five places available in long day care for the 0-2 years, apart from family day carers,” Renae said.
“Our submission included drawn up plans to add on a cot room, nappy change area, laundry and other separate facilities.
“We had 50 families on the waiting list who were interested in the long day care or preschool for 2-3 year olds which indicates there is a strong demand for these places.”
But, due to increased building costs and ICS’s inability to meet the shortfall, the project will not go ahead next year and the centre will remain as a preschool.
“While this is a long-term decision and we won’t be pursuing the long day care option, we haven’t abandoned the idea of offering pre-school to children under three in the future, depending on whether we can put in a laundry and fencing at some stage,” Renae said.
While the centre currently takes 25 children, it recently expanded to accommodate 40 places for 3-5 year olds. Limited vacancies are available in 2006. Please phone 4294 2313.
