MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire Council will continue childcare services formerly offered by Mornington Community Contact.
Parents were left wondering where to take their children last week after liquidators moved in and closed the centre (“Parents baffled by childcare loss” The News 6/3/18).
The shire, in a news release sent at 5pm Friday, says it is working “to support the childcare programs on a temporary basis to ensure continuity of services for the community and staff while exploring longer term options with the community and other stakeholders regarding ongoing management of the centre”.
As from today (Tuesday 13 March) the shire will run the kinder program for three year old and occasional child care.
The council has also offered “interim employment” to the childcare workers previously employed by Mornington Community Contact “to ensure continuity of care for the children enrolled in classes with the community house”.
“Families have been contacted and are very thankful that council has responded so quickly and that their children will be able to recommence kinder very soon and importantly with the same teachers,” the mayor Cr Bryan Payne said.
He said discussions continue regarding the other programs at the centre, with the aim of continuing the same services at same venue “wherever possible”.
“Council remains focussed on ensuring community services offered by the centre remain available, as well as supporting staff, clients and the community,” Cr Payne said.
Mornington Community Contact was not run by council and the community house, although council-owned, is managed by a committee and financed by several sources.
The shire gives 12 community houses across the peninsula $13,000 each a year.
Parents seeking further information should call 5950 1099.
First published in the Mornington News – 13 March 2018
