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.

ac.care Locations

ac.care is a dynamic organisation servicing the South Australian communities the Limestone Coast, Murraylands, Riverland, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula.

Our mission is for all country people to have a safe home, enough money to live on and strong, positive relationships.

Please find our service locations here or use our contact form to request a service.

Mount Gambier
Head office and Foster Care

70-72 White Avenue Mount Gambier, SA 5290
PO Box 1842 Mount Gambier SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Community Centre

22-24 Ferrers Street Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Mount Gambier
Family Relationship Centre

1 Helen Street (cnr Bay Road) Mount Gambier, SA 5290
Monday
9am to 5pm
Tuesday
10:30am to 5pm
Wednesday
9am to 5pm
Thursday
9am to 5pm
Later by appt
Friday
9am to 5pm

Berri Community Centre
Servicing the Riverland

5 Kealley Street, Berri, SA 5343
PO Box 1345 Berri, SA 5343
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Murraylands Centre
Servicing the Murraylands, Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

29 Bridge Street, Murray Bridge, SA 5253
PO Box 2090 Murray Bridge, SA 5253
Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm

Millicent
Community Centre

57-59 George Street Millicent, SA 5280
PO Box 378 Millicent, SA 5280
Monday to Friday 9am to 4pm
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