Minya Porlar Creche to close
MURRAY Bridge’s Minya Porlar Creche will close at the end of the 2022 school year after operator ac.care made the “enormously challenging” decision to wind down the service.
Chief executive officer Shane Maddocks said the not-for-profit organisation had sought to secure the long-term future of the creche for many years, but its ongoing operation had proven unfeasible.
Mr Maddocks said this was due to the building not complying with new government standards for commercial childcare and challenges recruiting qualified staff in a competitive environment.
He said the growth of alternative childcare services in the community had also reduced the need for the service.
The organisation informed the five regular staff and additional casual employees, along with around 18 families using the creche, of the decision this week.
“We are immensely proud of the achievements of the creche over the past two decades of service to the Murray Bridge community, especially the dedicated staff and management who have provided local opportunities for families to access childcare, with a special focus on connection to Ngarrindjeri culture,” Mr Maddocks said.
He said the building on Gail Crescent was unable to meet new Australian Children’s Education & Care Quality Authority Safety and Quality standards announced earlier this year due to deficits relating to indoor spaces, sleeping spaces, bathrooms and changing facilities.
“To remain viable, we would need to invest in modifying a new, much larger property or purpose-build a facility in a new location, which would be financially unsustainable and an investment ac.care is unable to make,” he said.
Instead, the staff will work to help families using the centre to transition to alternative childcare services.
