Sydney childcare centre on brink of closure offered 12-months rent free
More than 60 families rallied in Sydney's eastern suburbs to keep the doors of a local childcare centre open.
The City of Sydney has offered a childcare centre free rent for a year in an effort to prevent its closure. Goodstart East Sydney, a not-for-profit early learning centre, is on the brink of closure despite having high occupancy. The closure was announced, affecting over 60 families. Goodstart had been leasing the site from the City of Sydney but claimed the building's design and location led to significant financial losses.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore responded to the situation by offering the centre 12 months of free rent while its future is being determined. It is unclear whether the childcare provider has accepted the rent waiver. Tim Martin, a father of two, expressed his concern about the loss of the centre, stating that alternatives were not easily available.
Three other centres in the area have already closed, and another not-for-profit in Paddington is also at risk of losing its funding due to plans to sell the site. Fiona Thatcher, whose daughter is on the waiting list, highlighted the lack of suitable alternatives in the area. Labor Councillor Zann Maxwell emphasized the importance of preserving the inner-city area as a place that welcomes young families, warning against the closure of such essential facilities.
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