Penrith City Council’s decision to close one of its childcare centres in St Clair has angered some parents, but Councillor Jackie Greenow said it was on the cards for some time.
Cooinda Children’s Centre in St Clair will celebrate its 20-year anniversary in November, but Council had made the decision earlier this year to close it down in December.
Cr Greenow was on the board of the Penrith Children’s Service Cooperative back in 2008 and she said the closure of Cooinda was a talking point, even back then.
“I know Council staff were trying everything they could – it went down to opening four days and then to three,” Cr Greenow said.
With seven Council-run childcare centres located within the St Clair and Erskine Park areas, staff and children that need childcare next year will be relocated to other centres.
“I think it’s very hard when these sorts of thing happen, but I think Council staff have worked their insides out to make sure people have been accommodated in another service.”
A Council spokeswoman said low enrolments and an ageing population were contributing factors in closing the centre.
“Cooinda’s enrolments have dropped steadily over recent years and the time has come where finite resources could be better used in other parts of the city,” she said.
But Council’s decision has taken a particular toll on some, including Angela Goldthorpe.
“Cooinda was recommended to us when my eldest son was at preschool age because they were particularly good with helping special needs kids,” Mrs Goldthorpe said.
Her eldest, Ethan, 8, had attended two privately run centres before Cooinda.
“My second son, Samuel (5), also had learning difficulties, but after going to Cooinda both of them improved in leaps and bounds,” Mrs Goldthorpe said.
“My youngest now goes there too. Everyday Sean (4) gets ready and asked if it’s his school day yet, but to say next year that he can’t go back is heartbreaking.”
